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OF     TUE     ORGANIZATION     OF     TH1 


Fikst  BArnsT  Church,  Boston, 


JUNE    7,    1865, 


BY 

ROLLIN  HEBER  NEALE,  D.  D. 


PASTOR. 


BOSTON: 

GOULD      AND      LINCOLN, 

59     WASHINGTON     STREET. 
1865. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Church,  held  Tuesday  evening,  June  20,  1865,  the 
following  votes  were  passed  :  — 

"  That  it  is  desirable  that  the  address  delivered  at  the  celebration  of  the 
two  hundredth  anniversary  of  organization  of  this  Church,  by  our  pastor, 
Rev.  R.  II.  Neale,  should  be  published,  with  such  other  historical  matter  as 
may  be  useful  for  future  reference,  and  that  the  pastor  be  requested  to  fur- 
nish a  copy  for  that  purpose. 

"  Voted,  That  brethren  Cyrus  Carpenter,  W.  H.  Brewer,  C.  A.  Turner, 
and  D.  P.  Simpson,  constitute  a  committee  with  full  power  to  carry  out  the 
purposes  of  the  preceding  vote." 


EamlmTlije   yrtss. 
Dakin    a  n  n    Metcalf. 


historical   ^bbrcss. 


Historical   Addeess. 


We  are  assembled,  my  brethren,  to  commemorate, 
by  religious  and  social  services,  The  Two  Hundredth 
Anniversary  of  our  existence  as  a  Church. 

According  to  the  record,  this  church  was  organized 
"on  the  28th  of  the  third  month,  1665."  Our  fa- 
thers, however,  in  numbering  the  months,  began  with 
March,  and  not  with  January ;  so  that  May  was 
their  "  third  month."  Allowing  ten  days  for  a  change 
in  the  calendar  from  "  old  to  new  style,"  makes 
what  was  their  28th  of  May  our  7th  of  June.  It  is, 
therefore,  two  hundred  years  ago  to-day  since  this 
church  was  formed.  To  me,  the  pastor,  and  to  the 
present  membership,  and  to  those  who  have  sus- 
tained these  relations  heretofore,  this  is  an  occasion 
of  much  interest.  It  is  natural  that  we  should  wish 
to  review  our  history,  and  speak  of  the  way  in  which 
the  Lord  hath  led  us.  A  similar  gathering  of  per- 
sonal and  Christian  friends  met  here  three  years  ago, 
on    the    twenty-fifth    anniversary  of  my  own    settle- 


6  HISTORICAL     ADDRESS. 

ment.     We  then  spoke  of  old  times,  when   many  of 
ns    were    young,  and    before    others    were    born.     A 
generation  had   arisen  who   looked   upon  modern  his- 
tory as  quite  ancient,  and  who    now,  I    presume,  re- 
gard  my    pastorate    as    extending    into    the   shadowy 
past,  before  the  Shawmut  Avenue  Church  was  formed, 
or  the  Harvard  Street  Church,  or  Bowdoin  Square,  or 
the  Union  Temple,  and  before  the  present  pastor  of 
the  Bethel — a  child  of  our  own  —  had  thought  of  en- 
tering the  ministry,  and    before  the  pastor  and  con- 
stituent members  of  the   Southac  Street  Church  had 
escaped  from  Virginia.      Thirty  years   ago,   however, 
Boston    was    no    mean     city.      Her    merchants    and 
scholars    had    a    wide    and    well-earned    fame.      Her 
clergymen,'  of   all    denominations,  were   men  of  sub- 
stantial worth,  and    the    Baptists,  I    remember,  were 
in  the  very  zenith  of   their  glory.     The  Union  Lec- 
ture was    then    in    existence.     This    was   looked   for- 
ward   to    through    the    week,   and    regarded    as    the 
crowning  feature  of  the  Sabbath.     A  large  congrega- 
tion of  the  four  churches  assembled  on  Sunday  even- 
ing.     The    pastors    had    the     grateful     privilege     of 
listening  to  a  brother  minister.     They  officiated  them- 
selves   alternately,    each     in    his    own     pulpit :     Mr. 
Hague  at  the  First  Church,  Baron   Stow    at    Baldwin 
Place,    Howard    Malcom    at    Federal    Street,  and  Dr. 
Sharp,  then  in  the  fulness  of  his  strength,  at  Charles 
Street. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  7 

It  would  be  a  pleasure  to  me,  though  attended 
with  a  feeling  of  sadness,  to  linger  around  these  well- 
remembered  scenes,  to  speak  of  the  friends  who  first 
welcomed  me  to  Boston,  to  say  a  word  of  my 
loved  and  lamented  associates  at  Newton,  and  pay  a 
heartfelt  tribute  to  that  good  professor  who  has  re- 
cently left  us;  but  it  is  not  permitted  me  to-day  to 
indulge  in  personal  memories.  I  must  go  to  a  re- 
moter past, —  to  a  period  before  the  Revolution,  almost 
a  century  before  Washington  was  born,  —  to  the  time 
when  there  were  only  a  few  small  colonies  scattered 
here  and  there,  at  Jamestown,  New  Haven,  Hartford, 
and  Providence.  Settlements  had  begun  on  the 
capes  and  along  the  South  Shore,  near  to  the  old 
landing-place  at  Plymouth,  and  more  numerous  and 
enterprising  ones  at  Salem  and  Lynn,  .and  particu- 
larly in  and  about  Boston,  where  then  as  now  the 
people  took  a  prominent  lead  in  public  affairs.  I 
am  not  about  to  give  a  history  of  the  Baptists,  ex- 
cept as  I  must  necessarily  speak  of  an  origin  and 
experience  with  which  our  brethren  in  New  England 
are  more  or  less  connected. 

Nor  is  it  my  purpose  to  attempt  a  history  of  our 
denominational  jmnciplcs.  This  would  carry  me  back 
to  the  third  of  Matthew,  and  the  river  Jordan,  and 
all  through  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  —  to  a  succes- 
sion of  saints  and  martyrs  during  the  first  three 
centuries,  and  to  numerous  bodies  of  Protestants  that 


8  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

arose  one  after  another,  from  the  accession  of  Con- 
stantine  to  the  Reformation,  in  Italy  and  Germany, 
in  the  mountains  of  Switzerland,  and  the  valleys  of 
Piedmont  and  Savoy ;  communities  who  long  before 
the  time  of  Luther  had  steadily  refused  all  affiliation 
with  the  Church  of  Rome.  Their  spiritual  instincts 
spurned  the  adulterous  union  of  Church  and  State. 
Their  reverence  for  the  word  of  God,  and  for  the 
injunctions  and  example  of  Christ,  resisted  the  inno- 
vations and  assumptions  of  the  Papal  power.  They 
were  of  course  hated  by  that  power.  They  were 
compelled  to  hold  their  meetings  in  secret  places,  in 
forests,  in  dark  ravines,  in  mountain  fastnesses, —  being 
driven,  like  the  saints  of  old,  to  dens  and  caves  of 
the  earth.  They  were  generally  known  as  Wal- 
denses,  though  called  at  different  places  and  periods 
by  various  names.  Slight  and  comparatively  unim- 
portant shades  of  opinion  existed  among  themselves, 
but  they  were  agreed  in  the  substantial  truths  of 
Christianity,  and  especially  in  their  experience  of  its 
life  and  power.  All  were  loyal  to  Christ  and  his 
cross,  —  to  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost.  It  is  known, 
also,  that  many  or  most  of  them  held  to  the  distinc- 
tive principles  of  our  denomination, — namely,- baptism 
by  immersion,  a  converted  church  membership,  and 
the  inalienable  right  of  civil  and  personal  freedom  in 
all  matters  of  religious  faith.  Our  creed,  therefore, 
as  Baptists,  whether  right  or  wrong,  can  be  traced  to 


HISTORICAL     ADDRESS.  9 

a  respectable  origin,  and  through  a  distinguished  and 
worthy  lineage.  I  feel  interested  in  this  fact  only  as 
a  matter  of  history,  and  because  one  loves  to  know 
that  others  agree  with  him  in  sentiment,  but  not  as 
a  proof  that  our  creed  is  correct,  or  that  ours  is  the 
only  infallible  church.  Truth  is  not  determined  by 
majorities,  nor  by  decisions  of  councils,  nor  votes  in 
a  convention,  nor  is  it  confined  to  any  ecclesiastical 
body ;  nor  is  the  Holy  Spirit  limited  to  names,  or 
sects,  or  systems  of  theology.  Doctrines  are  no  bet- 
ter, nor  churches  nor  ministers,  because  of  any  real 
or  supposed  line  of  apostolical  succession.  Their 
worth  depends  rather  upon  conformity  to  the  sacred 
oracles,  upon  their  resting  directly  on  the  foundation 
of  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being 
the  chief  corner-stone.  If  we  speak  not  according 
to  this  word,  it  is  because  there  is  no  truth  in   us. 

But  I  will  proceed  to  the  appropriate  subject  of 
my  address.  The  first  record  on  our  books  is  as 
follows  :  — 

"The  28th  of  the  third  month,  1665,  in  Charles- 
town,  Massachusetts,  the  Church  of  Christ,  commonly, 
though  falsely,  called  Anabaptists,  were  gathered  to- 
gether, and  entered  into  fellowship  and  communion 
with  each  other ;  engaging  to  walk  together  in  all 
the  appointments  of  their  Lord  and  Master,  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  far  as  he  should  be  pleased  to 
make  known  his   mind  and  will    unto    them,  by  his 


10  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

word  and  Spirit,  and  then  were  baptized,  Thomas 
Gould,  Thomas  Osborne,  Edward  Drinker,  John 
George  —  and  joined  with  Eichard  Goodall,  William 
Turner,  Eobert  Lambert,  Mary  Goodall,  and  Mary 
Newell,  who  had  walked  in  that  order  in  Old  Eng- 
land, and  to  whom  God  hath  since  joined  Isaac  Hull, 
John  Farnham,  Jacob  Barney,  John  Russell,  Jr.,  John 
Johnson,  George  Farley,  Benjamin  Sweetser,  Mrs. 
Sweetser,  and  Ellis  Callender,  all  before   1669." 

It  was  thirty-five  years  after  the  settlement  of  Bos- 
ton before  the  Baptists  of  the  colony  formed  them- 
selves into  a  church.  Their  name  and  sentiments, 
however,  were  known  before  this  time.  Roger  Wil- 
liams had  been  here,  and  Obadiah  Holmes.  "  Sister 
Moody,"  a  very  respectable  and  wealthy  lady,  had 
lived  at  Lynn,  and  had  been  asked,  not  very  politely, 
to  leave  the  place.  "  Brother  Witter "  was  there 
still,  and  had  been  arrested  for  entertaining  "  suspi- 
cious strangers "  from  Newport.  Persons  connected 
with  other  societies  were  subjected  to  annoyance,  be- 
cause of  their  Baptist  sympathies.  The  Rev.  Henry 
Dunster  was  obliged  on  this  account  to  resign  the 
Presidency  of  Harvard  College,  and  make  way  for 
successors  who  it  was  thought  would  be  more  true 
to  "  Christ  and  the  church."  It  is  well  known  that 
our  Puritan  ancestors  were  exceedingly  intolerant  of 
all  opinions  and  practices  that  differed  from  their  own. 
In  saying  this,  I  am    not   unmindful   of  their  many 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  11 

virtues.  We  glory  in  being  their  descendants.  Their 
heroic  energy  and  stern  morals  have  made  New  Eng- 
land what  it  is,  the  glory  of  all  lands,  with  its  thrift 
and  enterprise,  its  benevolent  institutions,  its  indom- 
itable people,  its  fruitful  farms  and  smiling  villages 
its  "  busy  cities  and  resounding  shores,  its  schools 
and  churches  peering  out  from  every  valley  and 
crowning  every  hill-top."  But  these  earnest  men  were 
not  perfect.  That  they  had  a  profound  reverence 
for  the  Deity  is  undoubted.  Still  their  religion 
was  often  hard,  dry,  and  juiceless,  partaking  more  of 
law  than  of  grace,  more  of  fear  than  of  love.  With 
the  most  humiliating  confessions  of  sin  was  mingled 
a  remarkable  degree  of  self-complacency.  They  were 
the  chosen  people  of  God,  the  only  true  Israel,  and 
all  others  were  barbarians,  Amalekites,  the  children  of 
Korah,  Dathan,  and  Abiram.  Their  civil  polity  and 
church  discipline  were  one  and  the  same,  —  a  strange 
combination  of  the  temporal  with  the  spiritual  power ; 
an  iron  framework,  dark,  strong,  and  inexorable,  after 
the  Old  Testament  pattern.  It  was  a  theocracy  as  in 
the  Hebrew  commonwealth;  God  was  the  immediate 
Sovereign,  whose  laws  had  already  been  promulgated 
from  Mount  Sinai,  and  written  as  upon  tables  of  stone, 
and  they  were  the  appointed  executors  of  the  divine 
will.  It  was  not  so  much  a  union  of  Church  and 
State  as  a  complete  absorption  of  the  State  in  the 
Church.     The    minister    and   magistrate  were   united, 


12  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

and  enforced  alike  the  duties  of  the  first  and  second 
table.  No  civil  functionary  presumed  to  act  in  any 
important  public  affairs  without  first  taking  counsel 
of  the  clergy,  nor  the  clergy  without  consulting  the 
Mosaic  ritual.  The  Bible  was  to  be  literally  fol- 
lowed. Heresy  was  to  be  treated  as  an  indictable 
offence,  and  witchcraft  punished  with  death. 

The  people  marvellously  resembled  their  govern- 
ment. They  were  full  of  humanity  and  love  while 
they  remained  in  the  New  Testament;  but  they  grew 
stern  among  the  prophets,  and  absolutely  ferocious 
when  they  got  back  as  far  as  Leviticus  and  Deuterono- 
my. Like  Israel,  on  entering  Canaan,  they  were  ready 
to  drive  the  Hittites  and  Perizzites  and  Jebuzites  out 
of  the  land.  This  spirit  reached  its  height  in  the  time 
of  Cromwell,  between  1648  and  1060,  when  the  Pu- 
ritans had  full  sway.  The  Quakers,  Episcopalians, 
and  Baptists  were  put  down.  That  is,  as  far  as  it  is 
possible  to  put  down  the  free  spirit  "whose  essence 
is  ethereal."  The  cords,  it  was  found,  often  broke  in 
tightening.  Thought  became  the  keener,  and  words 
the  sharper.  The  smothered  fires  were  the  more 
intense  and  terrible,  as  beneath  the  heaving  sides  of 
Etna  or  Vesuvius.  There  is  really  no  adequate  apol- 
ogy for  this  conduct  of  the  Pilgrims.  No  defences 
set  up  in  their  behalf,  not  even  the  old  stereotyped 
one,  that  it  was  the  fault  of  the  times,  is  at  all  sat- 
isfactory.    This  is  the  standing  apology  for  every  sin. 


HISTORICAL     ADDRESS.  13 

It  is  better  to  .say,  that  good  and  wise  men  as  the 
Puritans  were  in  general,  yet  in  this  thing  they  were 
unwise  and  wicked.  John  Winthrop,  the  best  of  the 
early  magistrates,  honestly  acknowledged  the  wrong 
on  his  dying  bed.  Being  asked  to  sign  an  order  for 
the  banishment  of  some  person  for  heterodoxy,  he 
refused,  saying,  "  I  have  done  too  much  of  that  work 
already." 

When  Charles  the  Second  came  to  the  throne,  in 
1661,  the  American  colonies  were  of  course  called 
to  account  for  their  sympathy  with  the  Great  Rebel- 
lion. The  loyalty  of  Massachusetts  had  been  more 
than  suspected,  and  with  good  reason.  The  people 
were  Puritans  of  the  straitest  sect.  They  had  shouted 
for  Cromwell.  They  had  sent  the  Browns  out  of  the 
country  for  keeping  Christmas  and  reading  the  Prayer 
Book.  They  still  harbored  the  regicides.  Commis- 
sioners were  accordingly  sent  over  from  England,  soon 
after  the  restoration,  to  rectify  this  state  of  things. 

Charles,  though  more  of  a  Catholic  than  a  Prot- 
estant, and  not  much  troubled  probably  with  religion 
of  any  kind,  was  yet  the  official  head  of  the  English 
Church.  Episcopalians,  therefore,  must  be  no  longer 
persecuted.  The  Quakers  had  strangely  ingratiated 
themselves  into  royal  favor,  and  they  must  hereafter 
be  unmolested.  The  whole  policy  of  Puritan  intoler- 
ance wras  thus  checked,  especially  during  the  pres- 
ence of  the  King's    commissioners.     This  was    in    the 


14  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

winter  of  1664-65.  Thomas  Gould  and  his  compan- 
ions were  now,  some  in  the  Congregational  churches; 
others  had  letters  of  dismission  from  England,  "  to 
join  any  church  of  the  same  faith  and  order  with 
themselves,  wherever  God  in  his  providence  should 
cast  their  lot ; "  and  some  had  made  no  profession 
at  all. 

Taking  advantage  of  this  auspicious  period,  when 
the  hand  of  persecution'  was  stayed,  and  the  temple 
of  Janus  was  shut,  they  ventured  to  meet  together 
for  worship ;  and,  as  we  have  seen,  organized  them- 
selves into  a  regular  Baptist  Church  "  on  the  28th  of 
the  third  month,  1665." 

They  were,  however,  still  pursued  by  their  vigilant 
and  conscientious  neighbors.  A  warrant  was  issued 
to  the  constable  of  Charlestown,  commanding  him  in 
the  name  of  his  Majesty,  Charles  the  Second,  to  dis- 
cover where  these  people  were  assembled,  and  require 
that  they  should  attend  the  churches  which  were  es- 
tablished by  law ;  and  if  they  should  refuse  a  prompt 
and  strict  compliance  with  this  order,  he  was  to  report 
their  names  and  places  of  abode  to  the  nearest  magis- 
trate. Decisions  against  them  were  often  pronounced 
by  the  General  Court.  I  will  not  weary  you  by  read- 
ing them.  They  are  all  in  the  chronicles  of  that  time. 
The  following  may  serve  as  a  specimen  of  their  gen- 
eral character :  "  This  court  taking  the  premises  into 
consideration,  do  judge  meet  to  declare  that  the  said 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  15 

Gould  and  company  are  no  orderly  church  assembly, 
and  that  they  stand  justly  convicted  of  high  presump- 
tion against  the  Lord  and  his  holy  appointment,  as  also 
the  peace  of  this  government,  against  which  this  court 
doth  account  themselves  bound  to  God,  his  truth,  and 
his  churches  here  planted,  to  bear  their  testimony ; 
and  do  therefore  sentence  the  said  Thomas  Gould, 
William  Turner,  Thomas  Osborne,  Edward  Drinker, 
and  John  George,  such  of  them  as  are  freemen,  to  be 
disfranchised,  and  all  of  them,  upon  conviction  before 
any  one  magistrate  or  court,  of  their  further  pro- 
ceeding therein,  to  be  committed  to  prison  until 
the  General  Court  shall  take  further  order  with 
them." 

When  their  first  house  of  worship  was  built,  in  1G79, 
they  were  forbidden  to  occupy  it.  The  marshal  was 
ordered  to  keep  it  closed,  which  he  accordingly  did ; 
and  posted  the  following  paper  on  the  door : 

"  All  persons  are  to  take  notice,  that  by  order  of  the  court,  the 
doors  of  this  house  are  shut  up,  and  that  they  are  inhibited  to 
hold  any  meeting  therein,  or  to  open  the  doors  thereof,  without 
license  from  authority,  till  the  court  take  further  order,  as  they 
will  answer  the  contrary  at  their  peril. 

"  Edward  Rawson,  Secretary." 

While  enduring  these  vexations,  the  Baptists  remon- 
strated earnestly  and  persistently,  but  carefully  re- 
frained, in  word  and  action,  from  all  disrespect  to  the 


1(5  HISTORICAL     ADDRESS. 

constituted  authorities.  "  Respect  for  magistracy,."  was 
always  their  motto.  "  But  it  was  wrong  and  incon- 
sistent," they  said  to  the  governor,  "  to  do  the  same 
things  here  in  America,  of  which  they  had  complained 
in -England."  The  governor  felt  the  force  of  this  ap- 
peal, and  ordered  a  public  disputation,  after  the  custom 
of  those  days,  to  discuss  the  principles  in  question. 

Six  learned  Congregational  ministers  were  selected 
to  argue  the  cause  with  the  Baptists,  in  the  presence 
of  His  Excellency  and  the  honorable  Council.  The 
controversy  was  appointed  to  be  held  in  Boston  the 
14th  of  April,  1668,  at  nine  o'clock,  in  the  morning. 
The  Baptists  were  on  hand  promptly  at  the  appointed 
hour,  each  with  his  New  Testament,  ready  marked  and 
the  leaves  turned  down.  Nothing  pleased  them  better 
than  an  opportunity  for  free  speech  and  Scripture  quo- 
tations. They  came  from  all  quarters.  Three  brethren 
were  sent  from  the  church  in  Newport  to  assist  their 
brethren  in  Boston,  it  was  said,  though  the  Boston 
Baptists  then,  as  now,  felt  abundantly  competent  to 
manage  their  own  affairs.  Providence,  no  doubt,  was 
ably  represented.  The  followers  of  Roger  Williams 
were  always  courageous  and  fond  of  dispute,  and,  like 
the  sons  of  Rhode  Island  in  the  late  conflict,  were  never 
known  to  flee  or  flinch  in  the  presence  of  an  enemy. 
But  when  they  met,  they  found  the  controversy  all  on 
one  side.  The  Baptists  were  denounced  as  schismatics. 
They  might  hear  what  their  opponents  had  to  say,  but 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  \J 

were  not  allowed  to  answer.  Two  days  were  thus  occu- 
pied ;  at  the  close  of  which,  Rev.  Jonathan  Mitchell, 
minister  of  the  church  in  Cambridge,  pronounced  against 
them  that  sentence  in  the  17th  chapter  of  Deuteronomy, 
beginning  with  the  8th  verse,  and  ending  with  these 
words :  "  And  the  man  that  will  do  presumptuously,  and 
will  not  hearken  unto  the  priest  that  standeth  to  min- 
ister there  before  the  Lord  thy  God,  or  unto  the  Judge, 
even  that  man  shall  die,  and  thou  shalt  put  away  the 
evil  from  Israel." 

In  circumstances  like  these,  this  church '  began 
their  history.  For  over  half  a  century  they  stood 
alone,  and  bore  the  responsibilities  and  the  whole 
weight  of  theological  odium  which  rested  upon  the 
Baptist  name  and  cause  in  the  Colony  of  Massachu- 
setts. They  must  have  had,  and  did  have,  during 
the  first  seventy  years  of  their  experience,  a  painful 
sense  of  isolation.  They  were  separated  from  their 
brethren  in  England.  No  sister  churches  were  in  the 
neighborhood.  No  Baptist  associations,  as  now,  with 
letters  and  delegates,  pleasant  countenances,  and  kindly 
words  to  cheer  and  sustain  them.  Rev.  John  Miles, 
who  had  recently  emigrated  with  a  remnant  of  his 
flock,  from  Wales,  was  at  Swansea,  and  occasionally 
made  a  visit  to  Boston ;  and  sometimes  a  good  brother 
or  two  would  come  up  from  Rhode  Island  and  the 
Providence  Plantations;  but  in  general,  our  brethren 
were  shut  out  from  public  sympathy,  and  lived  in 
c 


18  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

constant  dread  of  the  emissaries  of  government.  They 
mot  in  the  houses  of  the  different  members  of  the 
church  at  Charlestown,  Noddle's  Island,  and  in  Back 
Street,  now  Salem  Street,  until  the  erection  of  their  first 
sanctuary,  in  1679. 

For  fourteen  years,  they  could  not  dwell  even  in  taber- 
nacles. Their  first  meeting-house  was  an  unpretending 
structure,  at  the  foot  of  an  open  lot  running  down  from 
Salem  Street  to  the  mill-pond,  and  on  the  north  side 
of  what  is  now  Stillman  Street.  The  mill-pond  was  a 
large  sheet  of  water  which  flowed  in  from  Charles 
River,  and  covered  all  that  part  of  the  city,  including 
Causeway  and  Merrimac  Streets,  Hay  market  Square, 
and  Endicott  Street,  down  to  the  old  Charlestown  bridge. 
In  1771,  under  the  popular  ministry  of  Dr.  Stillman, 
the  first  house  was  taken  down  and  a  larger  one  erected 
on  the  same  spot.  An  addition  was  made  twenty  years 
later,  making  the  whole  building  57  by  77.  The  lot 
on  which  it  stood  formed  a  spacious  and  beautiful  area 
in  front  of  the  church.  There  were  two  vestries,  one 
in  the  rear,  and  a  larger  one  on  the  north  side.  In 
that  humble  edifice,  the  church  worshipped  for  over  a 
hundred  and  fifty  years.  It  is  fraught  with  precious 
memories.  It  is  associated  with  conference  and  prayer, 
with  baptismal  and  sacramental  occasions,  and  with  a 
succession  of  pastors  and  members  whose  influence  will 
be  felt  forever.  There  Wayland  and  Winchell  and 
Stillman    preached,  and    others,  back  to  the   time  of 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  1<J 

John  Eussell  and  Thomas  Gould.  At  the  dedication 
of  the  second  house,  on  the  same  locality,  Dr.  Stillman 
preached  in  the  morning  from  Ezra  v.  11 :  "  We  are 
the  servants  of  the  Most  High  God,  and  build  the  house 
that  was  builded  these  many  years  ago."  And  in  the 
afternoon,  from  Haggai  ii.  7  :  "I  will  fill  this  house 
with  glory,  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts."  About  this 
time,  the  church  voted  to  introduce  Watts's  Psalms  and 
Hymns,  instead  of  the  version  of  Tate  and  Brady,  which 
had  been  previously  in  use.  It  is  said  that  the  house 
was  built  at  the  wrater-side  for  convenience  in  baptizing. 
This  may  have  been  the  motive ;  I  think  very  likely 
it  was.  But  if  so,  it  was  only  in  imitation  of  primitive 
example.  Our  Saviour  taught  his  disciples  on  the 
borders  of  the  lake,  and  John  preached  in  Enon,  near 
to  Salem,  because  there  was  much  water  there.  It  was 
made  a  reproach  against  this  church  at  first  that  its 
ministers  were  uneducated.  But  this  was  a  matter  of 
necessity.  They  could  obtain  no  other.  They  selected 
and  encouraged  the  best  gifts  they  had.  They  chose 
their  spiritual  guides  from  among  themselves,  men  in 
whose  wisdom  and  religious  experience  they  had  the 
fullest  confidence.  They  preached  with  little  or  no 
compensation,  and  until  the  settlement  of  the  younger 
Calleuder,  without  the  sanction  of  an  ecclesiastical 
council.  Thomas  Gould,  being  the  principal  man  in 
forming  the  church,  was  very  naturally  selected  as  its 
first  pastor.     John  Russell,  who  was  a  member  of  the 


20  HIST  0 11  I  C  A  L    ADDRESS. 

church  at  the  same  time,  was  also  authorized,  whenever 
needed,  to  conduct  religious  services.  Mr.  Gould's  pas- 
torate continued  ten  years.  Isaac  Hull  was  appointed 
his  successor,  and  Mr.  Russell  still  continued  as  an  asso- 
ciate pastor,  or  elder,  as  these  experienced  and  trusted 
brethren  were  very  appropriately  called.  Mr.  Russell 
was  ordained  in  1679,  but  died  the  next  year.  He  is 
described  as  a  wise  and  worthy  man.  Previous  to  his 
death,  he  wrote  an  account  of  the  trials  through  which 
the  church  had  passed.  This  was  published  in  England, 
with  a  preface  signed  by  several  brethren  of  the  Baptist 
denomination,  among  whom  was  William  Kiffin,  an  em- 
inent merchant  of  London,  whose  two  grandsons  suf- 
fered a  cruel  death  at  the  hands  of  James  the  Second, 
and  also  Hansard  Knollys,  a  man  prominent  among  the 
English  Baptists  of  the  17th  century,  and  whose  name 
is  now  widely  known  from  its  connection  with  the  Lon- 
don Historical  Society.  Mr.  Russell  made  no  preten- 
sions to  scholarship,  but  "  plainly  spoke  what  he  did 
know."  He  was  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  and  probably 
worked  at  his  profession  after  entering  the  ministry. 
This  was  made  a  subject  of  ridicule  by  the  learned 
divines  of  Boston.  One  of  them  wrote  a  reply  to  his 
narrative,  and  put  as  a  motto  on  the  title-page,  "  Cob- 
bler, stick  to  your  last."  Another,  a  Mr.  Hubbard, 
referring  to  the  same  account,  says,  "  One  John  Russell, 
a  wedder  dropped  shoemaker,  has  stitched  up  a  pam- 
phlet, in  which  he  endeavors  to  show   the  innocency 


HISTORICAL     ADDRESS.  21 

of  those  commonly   (though   falsely,  he    says)    called 
Anabaptists." 

A  Mr.  WiHard  remarked,  "  Truly,  if  Goodman  Rus- 
sell be  a  fit  man  for  a  minister,  we  have  but  fooled 
ourselves  in  building  colleges  and  instructing  children 
in  learning."  Dr.  Mather,  who  was  always  strongly 
armed  with  Old  Testament  quotations,  published  a 
piece  in  which  he  accused  the  Baptists  of  the  sin  of 
Jeroboam  in  making  priests  of  the  lowest  order  of  the 
people.  Mr.  Russell  was  an  old  man  when  he  entered 
the  pastoral  office,  and  soon  slept  with  his  fathers.  At 
his  decease,  the  church  appointed  Ellis  Callender  "  to 
be  helpful  in  carrying  on  their  worship  in  the  fore- 
noon, and  Edward  Drinker  to  officiate  in  the  afternoon, 
in  the  absence  of  Elder  Hull."  Mr.  Hull,  the  associate 
of  Mr.  Russell,  was  also  advanced  in  years  when  called 
to  assume  the  spiritual  oversight  of  his  brethren. 
Owing  to  his  age  and  infirmities,  the  church  wrote  to 
England  for  an  assistant.  Rev.  John  Emblem  was 
obtained,  who  continued  in  that  office  about  fifteen 
years,  until  his  death  in  1699.  Mr.  Hull  also,  con- 
tinued in  the  pastoral  office  until  his  death,  though 
unable  to  perform  its  active  duties.  At  what  time  or 
in  what  year  of  his  age  he  died  is  unknown ;  probably, 
however,  about  the  year  1690.  The  records  of  the 
church  at  that  time  were  imperfectly  kept.  There 
is  no  record  at  all  from  1696  to  1708,  a  period  of 
twelve  years.     Most  of  this  time  the  church  were  des- 


22  HISTORICAL     ADDRESS. 

titute  of  a  regular  pastor.  They  wrote  to  England  for 
one,  and  to  Mr.  Screven  of  South  Carolina,  but  without 
success.  Mr.  Screven  replied,  "  that,  if  the  Lord  did 
not  please  to  supply  them  in  the  way  they  had  ex- 
pected, they  should  improve  the  gifts  they  had  in 
the  church,  as  they  had  done  from  the  beginning. 
Brother  Callender,"  he  said,  "  and  John  Russell,  Jr., 
have  gifts  that  may  tend  to  edification  if  improved. 
I  think  you  should  call  one  or  both  of  them  to  it." 
The  church  followed  this  advice,  and  called  Mr.  Ellis 
Callender.  He  was  ordained  in  1708.  Like  most  of  his 
predecessors  in  office,  he  had  not  been  educated  to  the 
clerical  profession.  But,  like  them,  he  had  long  been  a 
member  of  the  church,  had  shared  their  sufferings  and 
joys  from  the  beginning,  and  thus  possessed  the  inesti- 
mable advantage  of  being  confided  in  as  one  who  nat- 
urally cared  for  their  state.  He  performed  the  duties  of 
a  pastor  for  over  ten  years ;  and  had  the  great  pleasure 
in  his  lifetime  of  seeing  his  son  Elisha  Callender  in- 
ducted into  the  same  office.  Elisha  was  a  young  man 
of  much  promise.  He  had  graduated  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege, in  the  class  of  1710.  He  united  with  the  church 
about  three  years  after,  and,  having  given  satisfactory 
evidence  of  his  qualifications  for  the  ministry,  was 
ordained  as  pastor  of  the  church,  May  21st,  1718. 
"  This,"  says  Mr.  Winchell,  "  was  an  event  of  great  joy 
to  the  father.  Like  Elijah  of  old,  having  courageously 
and  faithfully  vindicated   the  honor  of  his  Master  in 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  23 

'  troublous  times,'  he  saw,  in  departing,  his  beloved 
Elisha,  his  own  son  in  the  faith,  who  had  been  edu- 
cated in  the  school  of  the  Prophets,  invested  with  the 
office  which  he  had  himself  sustained,  and  rejoiced  in 
the  prospect  that  the  mantle  of  the  father,  even  a 
double  portion  of  his  spirit,  would  fall  upon  the  son." 

But  besides  the  circumstance  of  being  successor  to 
his  father,  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Callender  was  an  in- 
teresting event  on  account  of  its  having  been  attended 
by  those  ministers  who  a  few  years  before  had  used 
their  influence  to  drive  the  Baptists  out  of  the  colony. 

"  It  was  a  grateful  surprise  to  me,"  says  old  Dr. 
Increase  Mather,  "  when  several  of  the  brethren  of  the 
Antipedobaptist  persuasion  came  to  me,  desiring  that  I 
would  give  them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship  in  ordain- 
ing one  whom  they  had  chosen  to  be  their  pastor.  I  did 
(as  I  believe  it  was  my  duty)  readily  consent  to  what 
they  proposed,  considering  the  young  man  to  be  or- 
dained is  serious  and  pious  and  of  a  candid  spirit,  and 
has  been  educated  in  the  college  at  Cambridge,  and  that 
all  the  brethren  with  whom  I  have  any  acquaintance 
(I  hope  the  like  concerning  others  of  them)  are,  in  the 
judgment  of  rational  charity,  godly  persons."  This 
language  to  us  has  a  patronizing  air,  making  it  not 
quite  so  palatable  as  it  might  be ;  but  it  was  doubtless 
graciously  intended. 

Dr.  Cotton  Mather  preached  the  ordination  sermon, 
and  entitled  it  "  Good  Men  United."     He  made  direct 


24  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

reference  to  the  persecutions  which  the  Baptists  had 
suffered  from  the  ruling  powers,  and,  in  Old  Testament 
style  quite  common  at  that  time,  he  says,  "  Cursed  the 
anger  for  it  is  fierce,  and  the  wrath  for  it  is  cruel,  good 
for  nothing  but  only  to  make  divisions  in  Jacob  and 
dispersions  in  Israel." 

The  venerable  father  of  the  candidate  lived  eight 
years  after  his  son's  ordination,  and  occasionally  as- 
sisted him  in  his  work. 

The  following  record  is  on  the  church  books  (May  5, 
1721):  "  Voted,  that  if  Providence  at  any  time  pre- 
vent our  elder  or  pastor  from  coming  forth  on  the 
Sacrament  day,  then  his  father  shall  proceed  to  admin- 
ister the  ordinance  as  formerly." 

The  senior  Mr.  Callender  died  in  172G,  when  he 
must  have  been  about  eighty  years  of  age.  His  son 
Elisha  continued  in  the  pastoral  office  for  twenty 
years.  He  was  much  beloved  by  his  people,  and 
the  church  prospered  under  his  ministry.  "  Although 
his  constitution  was  feeble,  he  not  only  discharged 
the  duties  of  his  office  at  home  to  great  acceptance, 
but  frequently  preached  in  neighboring  towns,  and  as 
far  off  as  Springfield  and  Sutton,  Leicester,  Marshfield, 
and  Salem,  in  most  of  which  places  several  persons 
were  baptized  and  became  members  of  the  church." 
But  in  the  midst  of  life  and  usefulness  he  was  arrested 
by  disease,  which  terminated  in  his  death,  March  31, 
1738.  The  "Boston  Evening  Post,"  a  journal  pub- 
lished here  at  the  time,  thus  refers  to  his  death :  — 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  25 

"  On  Friday  morning  last,  after  a  lingering  illness, 
deceased  the  Rev.  Mr.  Elisha  Callender,  minister 
of  the  Baptist  Church  in  this  town,  a  gentleman 
universally  beloved  by  people  of  all  persuasions  for 
his  charitable  and  catholic  way  of  thinking.  His  life 
was  unspotted,  and  his  conversation  always  affable, 
religious,  and  truly  manly.  During  his  long  illness 
he  was  remarkably  patient ;  and  in  his  last  hours,  like 
the  blessed  above,  pacific  and  entirely  serene ;  his 
senses  good  to  the  last.  '  I  shall,'  said  he,  '  sleep  in 
Jesus,'  and  that  moment  expired,  very  much  lamented 
by  all  that  knew  him." 

Rev.  Jeremiah  Condy  was  the  next  pastor.  He  was 
a  graduate  of  Harvard  College,  in  the  class  of  1720. 
He  was  ordained  as  pastor  of  the  church,  February  14, 
1739,  and  remained  in  this  office  until  1704,  a  period 
of  twenty-five  years.  There  is  something  of  a  cloud 
resting  upon  his  memory,  but  for  what  reason  it  is 
difficult  to  ascertain.  Mr.  Winchell  records  that  he 
was  a  man  of  unblemished  character.  His  continu- 
ance with  the  same  people  for  a  quarter  of  a  century 
is  itself  a  recommendation.  He  left  them  of  his  own 
accord,  and  with  the  strongest  assurance,  on  their 
part,  of  unabated  confidence  and  love.  He  was 
called  an  Arminian ;  but  this  charge,  from  the  lips  of 
those  who  were  in  sympathy  with  Dr.  Gill,  requires 
considerable  abatement.  Few  additions,  it  is  said, 
were  made  to  the  church  under  his  pastorate.  This 
D 


26  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

may  have  been  his  fault,  or  it  may  have  been  owing 
to  circumstances  beyond  his  control.  In  the  early 
part  of  Mr.  Condy's  pastorate  an  extraordinary  relig- 
ious excitement  prevailed  in  New  England,  known 
as  the  "  Great  Awakening,"  under  the  preaching  of 
Whitefield  and  Edwards,  and  the  Tennents.  Like 
some  other  Massachusetts  divines,  Mr.  Condy  may 
not  have  fully  sympathized  with  the  unusual  proceed- 
ings of  that  day.  He  may  have  been  deficient  in 
energy  and  spiritual  life.  But  if  his  ministry  had 
been  attended  with  none  of  these  deficiencies,  it  prob- 
ably would  have  been  eclipsed  by  the  splendor  of 
the  light  that  soon  arose.  A  letter  full  of  confidence 
and  love  was  given  to  Mr.  Condy,  at  his  resignation. 
He  continued  to  reside  in  the  city,  and  preached  in 
different  places  until  his  death,  in  1768. 

The  now  familiar  and  venerated  name  of  Samuel 
Stillman  is  the  next  on  the  list  of  pastors.  He  was 
born  in  Philadelphia,  February  27,  1737.  In  his  boy- 
hood his  parents  removed  to  Charleston,  South  Car- 
olina, where  he  remained  until  he  entered  the  ministry 
at  the  age  of  twenty-one.  He  had  received  a  good 
classical  education,  and  studied  theology  under  his 
pastor,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hart.  He  commenced  preach- 
ing on  James  Island,  near  Charleston.  But  the  sea 
air  being  unfavorable  to  his  health,  he  soon  left  the 
island  and  spent  the  two  following  years  in  Borden- 
town,  New  Jersey.     He   then   visited   New  England, 


// 1  STORICAL   ADDRE  SS.  27 

and  was  invited  to  pass  a  year  with  the  Second 
Church,  since  known  as  Baldwin  Place,  as  an  assist- 
ant to  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bound.  While  there,  he  was 
called  to  the  pastoral  cafe  of  this  church,  and  was 
installed  January  9,  1765,  just  one  hundred  years 
after  the  church  was  formed.  Here  he  continued  till 
his  death,  a  period  of  forty-two  years.  No  pastor 
before  or  since  was  ever  more  beloved  by  his  church. 
His  popularity  was  uninterrupted,  and  greater  if  pos- 
sible in  his  old  age  than  in  his  youth.  A  few 
individuals  who  sat  under  his  ministry  and  who  were 
quite  young  when  he  was  an  old  man,  still  survive 
and  are  present  with  us  to-day.  They  never  weary 
in  talking  about  him,  and  even  now  speak  of  this 
as  Dr.  Stillman's  church.  They  looked  at  the  vener- 
able pastor  not  only  with  the  profoundest  respect, 
but  with  the  observant  eye  of  childhood.  They 
noticed  and  remembered  everything  in  his  external 
appearance,  his  wig  and  gown  and  bands,  his  horse 
and  carriage,  and  negro-man  Jephtha,  —  how  he 
walked,  how  he  talked,  how  he  baptized,  the  pecul- 
iar manner  in  which  he  began  his  prayers :  "  O  thou 
Father  of  mercies  and  God  of  all  grace." 

Dr.  Stillman's  affectionate  hearers  never  wanted 
their  pastor  to  exchange  pulpits  of  a  Sunday,  and 
were  impatient  of  his  absence  from  an  evening  meet- 
ing. "  The  Doctor  is  coming,"  was  a  common  expres- 
sion of  gladness  as  they  heard  his  familiar  voice  and 
foot-fall  at  the  head  of  the  old  plank  pathway,  leading 


28  III  ST  OR  1  (J  A  L    ADDRESS. 

from  the  main  street  down  to  the  church.  Dr.  ►Still- 
man  was  loved  not  alone  by  his  own  people.  He 
was  a  universal  favorite.  He  was  regarded  by  the 
whole  community  as  a  man  of  more  than  ordinary 
talent,  of  great  kindness  of  heart  and  perfect  purity 
of  moral  character.  Habitually  pleasant  and  cheer- 
ful, he  was  welcome  in  every  circle.  He  never 
assumed  professional  airs,  but  was  always  the  gentle- 
man and  the  dignified  clergyman.  He  was  probably 
the  most  popular  pulpit  orator  of  his  day.  Strangers 
visiting  the  city,  made  arrangements  to  hear  him  at 
least  a  part  of  the  Sabbath.  The  most  distinguished 
men  in  the  Commonwealth  were  often  present  at  his 
public  services.  The  elder  President  Adams  was  a 
delighted  listener  to  his  sermons.  Governor  Hancock 
became,  in  the  latter  part  of  his  life,  a  regular  member 
of  his  congregation.  Persons  who  cared  nothing  for 
his  theology  were  attracted  by  his  fame  as  a  public 
speaker.  A  stranger  gentleman  of  this  class  was  one 
day  present  at  church,  and  seemed  restless  and  uneasy 
under  the  strong  doctrines  of  human  depravity,  divine 
sovereignty,  and  future  retribution  that  were  often 
on  the  preacher's  lips.  On  the  present  occasion,  his 
denunciations  of  sin  had  been  unusually  pointed  and 
scathing.  "  Really,"  the  gentleman  remarked,  as  he 
went  out  of  the  sanctuary,  "  the  Doctor  makes  us 
all  out  a  set  of  rascals,  but  he  does  it  so  gracefully 
and  eloquently  that  I  am  not  disposed  to  find  fault. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  29 

Dr.  Stillman's  eloquence  was  of  a  peculiar  kind.  It 
had  a' resistless  charm;  not  mighty,  but  fascinating. 
Not  like  the  rushing  storm  of  ocean,  sublime  and  aw- 
ful ;  but  like  a  June  morning,  healthful  and  inspiring. 
Young  people  flocked  in  crowds  to  his  Sunday  evening 
lecture.  The  late  Dr.  Pierce,  of  Brookline,  said,  that 
in  his  boyhood  he  had  walked  many  a  time  from  his 
home  in  Dorchester,  to  get  a  standing-place  in  Dr. 
Stillman's  meeting-house.  "  Stillman's  Sermons,"  as  we 
now  have  them,  give  but  an  imperfect  idea  of  what 
he  was  in  the  pulpit.  There  was  a  power,  a  beauty, 
a  fire,  in  his  spoken  address,  which  it  was  impossible 
to  transfer  to  paper.  His  best  thoughts  came  while 
speaking.  As  he  caught  inspiration  from  his  theme, 
he  left  his  notes,  his  spectacles  were  taken  off,  and 
then  the  people  looked  for  his  most  stirring  appeals. 
He  would  move  about  in  the  pulpit,  not  with  theatri- 
cal starts,  but  as  if  on  silver  springs.  Every  nerve 
was  in  full  and  easy  play.  His  eyes  beamed  with  light, 
and  his  voice,  increasing  in  volume  and  sweetness, 
seemed  like  the  music  of  heaven,  and  his  words  came 
like  flakes  of  feathered  snow,  "  that  melted  as  they  fell." 

Dr.  Stillman's  ministry  was  exercised  during  a 
period  of  great  national  interest.  The  revolutionary 
war,  the  change  of  the  colonies  into  independent 
States,  the  adoption  of  the  Federal  Constitution,  the 
presidency  of  Washington,  Adams,  and  Jefferson,  all 
occurred  while  he   was    a   pastor   in   Boston.     He  was 


30  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

a  deeply  interested  observer  of  these  events.  lie  was 
an  enthusiastic  friend  of  General  Washington,  anil  the 
conservative  principles  of  the  first  administration.  In 
the  exciting  political  conflicts  of  1801,  he  obviously 
sympathized  with  the  Federal  party ;  nor  did  he  hesi- 
tate, on  what  he  deemed  suitable  occasions,  to  utter 
his  sentiments  from  the  pulpit.  It  is  really  refreshing 
to  know  that  the  good,  judicious,  the  eminently  con- 
servative Dr.-  Stillman,  did  preach  on  politics.  Persons 
then,  as  now,  complained,  and  thought  he  had  better 
preach  the  gospel,  and  leave  worldly  affairs  to  worldly 
men.  But  he  thought  it  his  duty,  he  said,  as  a  Chris- 
tian minister  and  a  Christian  patriot,  to  warn  the  peo- 
ple against  the  influence  of  French  infidelity  and  those 
principles  which,  in  his  opinion,  would  tend  to  anarchy 
and  disunion.  There  was  no  bitterness,  however,  in 
his  preaching.  He  was  always  on  the  best  of  terms 
with  Dr.  Baldwin,  whose  sympathies,  it  was  well 
known,  were  of  the  Jeffersonian  school.  These  good 
men  and  their  churches  loved  each  other  as  brethren, 
and  strove  together  only  for  the  faith  of  the  gospel ; 
though  it  is  said,  that,  on  Thanksgiving  and  Fast  Days, 
the  Federalists  naturally  went  to  Stillman  Street,  and 
the  Democrats  to  Baldwin  Place. 

During  the  first  years  of  the  present  century,  there 
was  a  remarkable  revival  of  religion  in  the  First  and 
Second  Churches.  This,  no  doubt,  tended  to  moderate 
the  political  differences  which  prevailed  at  that  period. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  31 

The  grace  of  God  is  a  "wonderful  healer  of  discord. 
The  pastors  were  as  brothers,  and  the  churches  as  one 
body.  Religious  meetings  were  held  on  the  Sabbath, 
and  during  the  week.  The  congregations  were  large, 
and  many  conversions  occurred.  Dr.  Stillman  was  in 
his  element  on  such  occasions.  The  inquiry  from 
anxious  hearts,  "What  shall  I  do  to  be  saved?" 
touched  his  tenderest  emotions.  His  counsels  were 
wise  and  peculiarly  appropriate.  He  would  endeavor 
to  understand  each  case,  —  would  try  to  remove  every 
difficulty,  and  check  such  as  appeared  too  forward  ; 
would  speak  an  encouraging  word  to  those  who  were 
inclined  to  despond,  and  always  made  religion  appear 
attractive.  Dea.  James  Loring,  in  his  advanced  years, 
often  spoke  to  me  of  these  personal  interviews.  He 
recollected  particularly  one  occasion,  when  he  and 
other  young  people  were  present  in  the  pastor's 
study.  The  Doctor  conversed  with  all  in  the  room, 
took  each  one  by  the  hand,  and  seemed  to  compre- 
hend their  unuttered  thoughts.  Most  of  those  present 
had  expressed  in  words,  and  more  clearly  in  their 
countenances,  that  they  had  experienced  the  first 
impulses  of  the  new  life.  The  pastor  discovered  it 
as  if  by  intuition.  He  looked  around  most  affection- 
ately upon  the  youthful  circle,  and  with  a  smile  of 
delight,  said,  "  My  dear  children,  what  a  wonderful 
thing  religion  is !     How  happy  it  makes  us ! " 

Dr.  Stillman  was  very  tender-hearted.     He  syrapa- 


32  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

thized  strongly  with  human  suffering.  The  sick,  the 
poor,  the  bereaved,  were  sure  of  his  pastoral  visits. 
He  never  forgot  to  pray  for  the  sailor.  Many  of  this 
class  were  frequently  in  his  church.  He  would  occa- 
sionally address  them  directly,  and  did  this  with  such 
a  look  and  tone  of  kindness  that  they  would  often 
rise  up,  as  an  expression  of  their  interest  and  grati- 
tude. Prisoners,  and  criminals  under  sentence  of 
death,  were  accustomed  to  desire  his  presence.  They 
were  often  benefited  by  his  timely  counsels,  and  found 
relief  and  hope  in  his  Christ-like  spirit.  Like  his  Mas- 
ter, he  sympathized  with  the  guilty,  as  well  as  with 
the  sufferer.  He  put  on  no  airs  of  superior  sanctity, 
but  spoke  of  himself  and  them  as  alike  dependent  on 
the  mercy  of  God  in  Christ.  He  was  especially  wel- 
come in  the  house  of  mourning.  He  had  been  him- 
self deeply  bereaved,  and  could  feel  for  the  afflicted, 
and  knew  how  to  comfort  them,  "  by  the  comfort 
wherewith  he  himself  was  comforted  of  God." 

Dr.  Stillman  possessed  an  eminently  catholic  spirit. 
He  was  a  lover  of  good  men,  and  was  loved  by  them  in 
return.  Christians  of  other  denominations  were  regu- 
lar attendants  upon  his  ministry,  and  recognized  him 
as  their  pastor.  Among  these  was  the  father  of  a 
well-known  and  much  esteemed  clergyman  of  this 
city.  Dr.  Stillman  was  invited  on  one  occasion,  by 
the  anxious  parents,  to  the  bedside,  as  they  supposed, 
of   their  dying  son.     He   sympathized  with  them    in 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  33 

their  distress.  The  pastor  prayed  earnestly  and  with 
moistened  eyes  for  the  child's  recovery,  and  also  that 
he  might  live  to  be  a  useful  man  in  the  Lord's  vine- 
yard. William  recovered,  as  the  parents  thought,  and 
as  the  child,  now  the  venerable  Dr.  Jenks,  still  thinks, 
in  answer  to  the  "  prayer  of  faith."  He  was  afterwards 
called  in  the  family  the  little  minister.  And  to  this 
day  he  refers  to  that  memorable  prayer  as  being  not 
only  the  means,  under  God,  of  saving  his  life,  but  as 
the  prayer  of  consecration  to  his  Master's  service. 

It  was  Dr.  Stillman's  frequently  expressed  wish, 
that  he  might  not  outlive  his  usefulness.  This  wish 
was  gratified.  At  threescore  years  and  ten,  his  eye 
was  not  dim,  nor  his  natural  strength  abated.  The 
last  time  he  appeared  in  the  pulpit,  two  weeks  before 
his  death,  he  preached  with  more  than  his  usual  power. 
Dr.  Stillman  loved  his  people  as  a  father.  He  feared 
they  might  suffer  from  a  decline  of  his  own  strength, 
and  unwilling  that,  in  the  event  of  his  death,  they 
should  be  even  temporarily  without  a  pastor,  he  de- 
sired that  they  would  settle  a  colleague  with  him  in  the 
ministry.  The  church,  not,  indeed,  sharing  his  fears, 
still  respected  his  wishes,  and  complied  with  his  request. 
Rev.  Joseph  Clay,  of  Georgia,  was  called  to  this  posi- 
tion ;  but  before  the  new  minister  had  entered  upon 
his  labors,  the  venerable  Stillman  had  joined  the 
church  on  high.  He  died  on  the  12th  of  March, 
1807.     His  funeral  was  attended  on  the   17th  of  the 

E 


34  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

same  month,  by  his  bereaved  people,  and  a  large  con- 
course of  sympathizing  friends.  Dr.  Baldwin  preached 
on  the  occasion  from  2  Timothy  iv.  7,  8.  "  I  have 
fought  the  good  fight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I 
have  kept  the  faith."  "  I  have  a  distinct  recollection," 
said  Dr.  Pierce,  "  of  the  funeral.  All  the  members  of 
the  society  appeared  with  badges  of  mourning,  the 
women  with  black  bonnets  and  handkerchiefs.  If  the 
pastor  had  been  removed  in  the  bloom  of  youth,  his 
people  could  not  have  been  more  deeply  affected." 
The  line  in  the  elegy, 

"  Though  the  voice  tremble  while  we  sing," 

was  literally  fulfilled  on  that  occasion.     Sobs  and  tears 
were  mingled  with  the  plaintive  music. 

"  There  is  a  stream  whose  gentle  flow 
Supplies  the  city  of  our  God ; 
Life,  love,  and  joy  still  gliding  through, 
And  watering  our  divine  abode." 

Mr.  Clay  now  became  sole  pastor  of  the  church, 
and  was  installed  in  August,  1807.  He  had  passed 
his  early  manhood  in  the  practice  of  the  law,  and 
had  risen  to  eminence  in  his  profession.  For  several 
years  he  was  judge  of  the  United  States  Court  for 
the  District  of  Georgia,  his  native  State.  The  late 
Attorney  General,  John  M.  Berrien,  was  a  student  in 
his  office,  and  speaks  of  him  as  an  able  lawyer  and 
a  most  estimable  man.  Mr.  Clay  had  naturally  a 
warm  Southern    temperament,  and    after    the  change 


HIS  TO  11 1 0  A  L    ADD  R  E  S  S .  3  5 

in  his  religious  feelings,  he  abandoned  his  legal  pro- 
fession, and  gave  himself  with  more  than  youthful 
ardor  to  the  work  of  the  ministry.  But  his  career 
as  a  minister  was  brief.  He  preached  to  the  church 
only  a  little  over  a  year,  when,  his  health  failing, 
he  resigned  his  charge.  Both  himself  and  people 
hoped  for  his  recovery,  and  the  renewal  of  the  rela- 
tion between  them ;  but  his  health  continued  to 
decline,  and  he  died  on  the  11th  of  January,  1811, 
in  the  forty-seventh  year  of  his  age. 

The  church  was  now  without  a  pastor,  and  re- 
mained so  for  a  period  of  five  years.  They  suffered 
in  consequence  many  of  the  evils  which  Dr.  Stillman 
had  anticipated.  It  was  a  period  for  numerous  can- 
didates, and  of  course  for  a  diversity  of  opinions  and 
varied  preferences.  Some  were  for  Paul  and  some 
for  Apollos,  and  some  for  Cephas.  'The  celebrity  of 
Dr.  Stillman  had  made  the  church  more  than  ordina- 
rily fastidious.  They  must  have  an  able  minister ;  a 
young  man;  a  scholar.  He  must  be  eloquent  like 
Dr.  Stillman,  and  a  logician  like  Judge  Clay.  In 
their  view,  there  was  no  man  in  the  ministry  quite 
equal  to  so  eligible  a  place  as  the  pastorship  of  the 
First  Baptist  Church  of  Boston.  I  have  been  told 
there  was  some  talk  of  sending  for  Andrew  Fuller; 
but  he  was  the  main  support  of  the  Baptists  in  Eng- 
land, the  Secretary  of  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society, 
and  could  not  be  spared  from  the  church  at  Kettering. 


36  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

Thus  the  people  lingered  on,  with  little  prospect  of 
obtaining  the  minister  of  their  united  choice,  or  of 
being  long  satisfied  even  with  him. 

Meanwhile,  a  modest  young  man,  a  member  of  a 
Baptist  Church  in  Northeast,  N.  Y.,  was  pursuing  his 
studies  at  Union  College,  and  expecting  to  graduate 
at  Schenectady.  He  was  a  diligent  student,  but  no 
visionary  or  day-dreamer,  and  had  no  high-raised  ex- 
pectations in  regard  to  the  future.  This  was  James 
Manning  Winchell.  Dr.  Nott  was  much  attached  to 
his  pupil,  and  with  a  magnanimity  characteristic  of 
the  man,  advised  him  to  spend  the  last  year  of  his 
collegiate  course  at  Brown  University,  thinking,  as  he 
was  a  Baptist,  it  might  be  more  favorable  to  his 
future  usefulness.  The  young  student  followed  the 
counsels  that  were  given  him,  and  soon  became 
an  equal  favorite  with  Dr.  Messer  and  Dr.  Gano 
at  Providence.  He  graduated  in  the  class  of  1812. 
After  preaching  a  year  for  the  Baptist  Church  in 
Bristol,  R.  I.,  he  was  invited  to  come  as  a  candi- 
date to  this  church.  Had  he  been  a  man  of 
worldly  ambition,  .or  very  sensitive  in  regard  to  his 
ministerial  reputation,  he  probably  would  have  de- 
clined the  honor.  He  would  not  have  ventured  upon 
a  race  with  so  many  competitors,  where,  though  all 
should  run,  only  one  could  receive  the  prize.  But 
Mr.  Winchell  had  no  personal  anxieties.  He  was  in- 
vited   to    preach,    and    accepted    the    invitation,    not 


HISTORICAL     ADDRESS.  37 

caring  to  inquire  whether  he  was  to  become  a  pastor 
or  only  a  candidate.  If  he  failed  he  would  only  share 
the  fate  of  older  and,  as  he  thought,  much  better 
men.  He  came,  and  the  result  is  known.  His  ap- 
pearance •  in  the  pulpit  produced  a  very  favorable 
impression.  The  people  liked  him,  —  they  scarcely 
knew  why.  Certainly  not  on  account  of  any  care- 
fully prepared  "  trial "  sermon ;  for  his  sermons  were 
not  elaborate,  and  his  preaching,  even  in  the  circum- 
stances, seemed  no  trial  to  him.  There  was  no  show 
or  pretence ;  no  straining  for  effect ;  no  apparent 
thought  even  of  the  delicacy  of  his  position.  He 
neither  astonished  by  his  depth,  nor  carried  the  people 
captive  by  his  brilliancy.  He  stood  before  them  an 
unsuspecting  youth,  anxious  only  to  do  the  service 
of  his  Master.  What  could  they  say?  Criticism  was 
disarmed.  He  was  so  different,  too,  from  Clay  or 
iStillman,  that  there  was  no  room  for  comparison. 
They  took  him  at  once  to  their  confidence ;  called 
him  the  a  beloved  WInchell ; "  and  he  goes  by  this 
name  to  the  present  day. 

Mr.  Winchell's  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  peculiar. 
There  was  no  air  of  defiance,  not  even  of  self-confi- 
dence. Nor  was  he  diffident  or  embarrassed,  but  had 
a  subdued  look,  as  of  one  that  feared  God.  His 
people  never  boasted  of  his  extraordinary  talent  or 
overpowering  eloquence.  Such  boasting  indicates  no 
healthful  pastoral  relation.     He  stood  higher  than  this 


38  HISTORIC  A  I     .1  VDRESS. 

in  their  estimation.  He  was  a  man  of  God,  a  the 
beloved  Winchell,"  "  our  pastor,"  "  and  a  good  minis- 
ter of  Jesus  Christ." 

Mr.  Winchell  was  installed  March  30,  1814.  The 
favorable  impressions  made  at  first  were  deepened 
by  acquaintance.  No  remarkable  events  or  stirring 
scenes  occurred  under  his  ministry,  and  he  never 
sought  to  create  an  artificial  excitement.  No  large 
additions  to  the  church  were  made  at  any  one  time. 
Neither  was  there  a  period  of  dearth,  but  a  steady 
and  continuous  advance  in  religious  knowledge  and 
spiritual  life.  Mr.  Winchell  was  very  fond  of  singing. 
He  could  sing  with  the  spirit  and  the  understanding 
also.  He  was  acquainted  with  the  science  of  music. 
He  had  a  sweet  voice,  and  could  "  set  the  tune  "  him- 
self:  a  happy  talent  for  a  pastor.  It  prepared  him 
to  give  interest  to  devotional  meetings,  and  made 
him  always  welcome  in  the  social  circle.  His  large 
and  well-trained  choir  was  a  prominent  feature  in  his 
congregation,  and  an  efficient  element  of  power.  He 
met  with  them  frequently  at  their  rehearsals,  and 
many  of  them  became  members  of  the  church. 

He  edited  the  hymn-book,  familiarly  known  as 
"WmcheH's  Watts,"  and  which  for  many  years  was 
universally  used  by  the  Baptist  Churches  of  New 
England.  The  Psalmist  has  now  taken  its  place, 
edited  in  part  by  my  life-long  friend,  Rev.  Dr.  Stow, 
and    by   another,   the   Rev.   Dr.   S.   F.    Smith,   whose 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  39 

own  sweet,  heavenly,  and  patriotic  strains,  are  among 
its  chief  attractions. 

Mr.  Winchell  had  great  influence  with  young  men, 
especially  with  students  preparing  for  the  ministry. 
They  sought  his  society,  and  were  always  welcome. 
Professor  Ripley  has  told  me  how  pleasantly  he  used 
to  speak  to  him  in  the  street,  and  how  grieved  Mr. 
Winchell  was  on  one  occasion  of  apparent  neglect 
by  his  young  friend,  who,  being  near-sighted,  seemed 
not  to  know  him.  The  late  Dr.  Davis,  of  Hartford, 
then  recently  settled  at  South  Reading,  was  fond  of 
telling  how  he  used  to  come  into  the  city  once  or 
twice  every  week  to  recite  his  lessons  in  Greek  and 
Latin  to  the  Boston  pastor,  and  to  have  at  the  same 
time,  as  he  said,  "  a  good  talk  with  brother  Baldwin." 
Dr.  Rufus  Babcock  has  given  interesting  reminiscences 
of  this  youthful  minister :  —  of  the  prayer  he  offered 
at  his  father's  house  in  Colebrook,  Conn.,  on  his  way 
to  Boston ;  the  manner  in  which  he  gave  the  hand 
of  fellowship  to  one  who  had  been  his  fellow-stu- 
dent; how  he  preached  in  the  pulpit  of  Dr.  Gano 
at  Providence,  and  the  impression  produced  on  the 
students ;  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Winchell  to  himself  in 
bereavement,  especially  in  preparing  the  memoir  of 
his  deceased  brother,  Cyrus  Babcock,  for  the  Maga- 
zine, and  other  incidents  illustrating  his  kindness  of 
heart.  Dr.  Sharp  often  spoke  of  the  pleasure  he  en- 
joyed in  Mr.  Winchell's  society.     There  was   a  broth- 


40  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

erly  and  confiding  intercourse  between  these  two 
men,  settled  as  they  were  in  the  same  vicinity,  and 
in  every  respect  worthy  of  each  other's  confidence. 
"Brother  Winchell,"  said  the  Doctor,  "was  the  first  man 
who  encouraged  me  to  carry  written  sermons  into 
the  pulpit.  I  had  before  left  my  paper  at  home, 
and  trusted  to  memory;  but,  thought  I,  if  the  pas- 
tor of  the  '  First  Church '  reads  his  sermons,  I  may  as 
well  do  the  same  thing.  We  were  never  confined  to 
our  manuscripts,  however,"  continued  the  Doctor,  "as 
young  men  are  now-a-days,  who  appear  as  if  they 
were  speaking  to  the  '  cushion '  rather  than  to  the  con- 
gregation." "Some  persons,"  said  Dr.  Baldwin,  speak- 
ing of  Mr.  Winchell,  "  will  we  hope  be  saved  by  sov- 
ereign grace,  but  whose  natural  dispositions  are  so 
unamiable,  that  one  could  hardly  wish  an  intimacy 
with  them  in  this  life."  "It  was  not  thus,"  he  con- 
tinues, "  with  my  young  friend  with  whom  I  have 
been  so  happily  associated.  Without  deceit  or  guile, 
his  heart  seemed  formed  for  friendship." 

Mr.  Winchell's  declining  health  compelled  him  to 
leave  the  pulpit  several  months  before  his  death. 
On  an  exchange  at  Beverly,  he  preached  three  ser- 
mons during  the  day.  This  was  too  much  for  a  well 
man,  and  especially  for  one  whose  constitution,  like 
his,  was  naturally  feeble.  He  was  immediately  taken 
with  bleeding  at  the  lungs,  and  was  never  afterwards 
able  to    speak   in   public.     He   lingered   in  weakness 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  41 

for  about  six  months,  receiving  constant  attentions 
from  his  affectionate  and  sympathizing  people.  He 
died  February  22,  1820.  His  invalid  wife  soon  fol- 
lowed him  to  the  grave.  His  two  daughters  are,  I 
believe,  still  living  in  the  neighborhood  of  their 
father's  early  home.  Dr.  Baldwin  preached  on  the 
occasion  of  Mr.  Winchell's  funeral,  from  the  appro- 
priate text,  "He  was  a  burning  and  a  shining  light." 
Francis  Wayland,  jr.,  now  the  Ex-President  of 
Brown  University,  was  the  next  pastor  of  the  church. 
As  he  is  present  with  us  to-day,  I  shall  refrain  from 
saying  what  in  other  circumstances  it  would  be  inex- 
cusable to  omit.  Of  his  eminent  services  in  another 
field  I  should  not  presume  to  speak.  He  will  pardon 
me,  however,  if,  on  the  present  occasion,  I  make  at 
least  a  brief  reference  to  his  connection  with  this 
church.  It  is  remembered  that  the  Sermons  on  the 
"  Duties  of  an  American  Citizen,"  and  "  On  the  Moral 
Dignity  of  the  Missionary  Enterprise,"  were  first 
preached  to  this  people,  when  the  author  was,  to  use 
their  own  language,  "  our  pastor."  Mr.  Wayland  was 
a  tutor  in  Union  College  when  invited  to  visit  this 
church.  He  was  then  comparatively  unknown  to 
the  Baptists,  and  the  invitation,  I  have  understood, 
was  procured  through  the  influence  of  his  friend  and 
college  associate,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wisner  of  the  Old 
South.  After  supplying  for  a  month  as  a  candidate, 
he  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church, 

F 


42  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

with  the  condition  that  he  should  not  enter  upon  his 
labors  until  after  the  summer  term  at  college.  He 
was  ordained  August  21,  1821.  The  services  at  the 
ordination  were  as  follows :  Introductory  Prayer,  by 
Rev.  William  Gammel,  of  Medfield ;  Sermon,  by  Rev. 
Daniel  Sharp,  from  1  Cor.  xvi.  20.  "Now  if  Timo- 
theus  come,  see  that  he  may  be  with  you,  without 
fear,  for  he  worketh  the  work  of  the  Lord,  as  I  also 
do."  Ordaining  Prayer,  by  Rev.  Francis  Wayland, 
sen.,  of  Saratoga  Springs,  N.  Y.  j  Hand  of  Fellowship, 
by  Rev.  Lucius  Bolles,  of  Salem ;  Concluding  Prayer, 
by  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton,  of  Newton.  All  the  brethren 
who  officiated  on  that  occasion,  with  the  exception  of 
the  pastor  elect,  are  now  numbered  with  the  dead. 

While  preaching  on  probation,  Deacons  Snow  and 
Loring  sought  an  interview  with  him,  for  the  purpose 
of  ascertaining,  by  personal  and  direct  inquiry,  who  and 
what  he  was,  his  religious  character,  his  views  of  gospel 
doctrines,  and  his  thoughts  and  feelings  in  reference 
to  the  Christian  ministry.  This  visit  was  not  regarded 
by  the  candidate  as  obtrusive  on  the  part  of  the  deacons, 
but  rather  as  a  judicious  and  wise  proceeding,  which, 
if  followed,  would  be  likely  to  secure  greater  perma- 
nency in  the  pastoral  relation. 

Soon  after  Mr.  Wayland's  settlement,  he  learned 
that  his  invitation  to  the  pastorate  had  not  been  en- 
tirely unanimous.  A  minority  was  opposed  to  him. 
They  had  become   attached  to  another  candidate,  and 


HI  STORICAL    ADDRESS.  43 

were  disappointed  in  not  having  the  minister  of  their 
choice.  They  wrote  anonymous  letters  to  the  new 
pastor,  and  in  various  ways  manifested  their  dislike. 
They  went  frequently  on  the  Sabbath  to  hear  their 
favorite  candidate,  who  had  recently  become  a  pastor 
in  a  neighboring  town.  They  brought  home  glowing 
reports  of  the  sermons  they  had  heard  during  the  day, 
and  told,  at  the  evening  meeting,  how  cordially  "  that 
dear,  good  man  "  had  received  them,  and  how  he  hoped 
they  would  come  again.  I  have  had  opportunity  to 
learn  how  young  "Wayland  met  these  early  trials.  The 
anonymous  letters  never  were  heard  of,  except  by  con- 
fession of  the  writers.  The  matter  of  going  out  of  town, 
however,  was  regarded  by  the  officers  of  the  church  as 
a  public  offence,  and  they  proposed,  in  church-meeting, 
that  the  offenders  should  be  subjected  to  discipline. 
Against  this,  the  pastor  protested.  "  If  any  one  of  his 
hearers,"  he  said,  "  preferred  the  preaching  of  another 
man,  by  all  means,  let  him  be  gratified.  He  would  have 
no  persons  compelled  to  sit  under  his  ministry.  On  the 
contrary,  as  these  members  were  poor,  and  the  walk 
tiresome,  he  thought  the  church  ought  to  hire  a  car- 
riage for  them,  and  started  a  subscription  himself  for 
that  purpose.  This  put  an  end  to  the  practice,  and 
also  satisfied  the  demands  of  discipline.  The  deacons, 
however,  were  very  strongly  set  against  the  proposed 
exchange  of  pulpits.  There  were  objections,  they  said, 
to  the  minister  himself,  and  probably  still  greater  objec- 


44  HISTORICAL   ADDRESS. 

tions,  on  their  part,  to  the  idea  of  gratifying  these 
capricious  members.  Mr.  Wayland,  however,  was  per- 
sistently kind.  I  have  understood  that  this  was  the 
only  occasion  on  which  the  pastor  ever  came  in  direct 
collision  with  his  official  advisers.  The  deacons  opposed 
the  exchange.  He  insisted  that  it  should  be  made,  and 
carried  his  point.  No  difficulty  afterwards  arose.  These 
straying  members,  so  loving  and  so  beloved,  seemed 
satisfied,  and  never  asked  their  pastor  afterwards  to 
repeat  the  courtesy. 

An  incident  occurred,  in  the  experience  of  one  of 
these  disaffected  persons,  which  I  will  relate,  as  nearly 
as  I  can,  in  his  own  words.  He  was  then  a  young 
man,  and  now  a  most  worthy  deacon  of  a  Baptist 
Church.  "  I  had  no  doubt,"  he  said,  "  that  Mr.  Way- 
land's  thoughts  were  deep,  but  I  could  not  understand 
them.  I  did  not  feel  edified.  I  ventured  one  day  to 
go  to  his  house  and  tell  him  so.  Instead  of  giving  me 
a  rebuke  and  sending  me  home,  as  I  deserved,  he 
invited  me  into  his  study,  and,  taking  me  by  the  hand, 
said,  I  had  done  right  in  coming  to  him.  Then,  don't 
you  think,  he  told  me  his  religious  experience.  '  I 
wished  to  preach,'  he  said,  '  when  the  Lord  converted 
my  soul,  but  I  felt  unfit,  and  so  I  studied  medicine. 
Something,  however,  still  said,  Wayland,  you  must 
preach.  Christ  has  been  gracious  to  you,  and  you 
must  tell  others  of  his  love.  I  could  not  resist  this 
impression,  and    I   try  to    preach, —  poorly  enough,  I 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  45 

know.  I  have  been  called  to  this  church,  and  here  I 
am.  Now,  my  young  brother,  what  shall  I  do  ?  I 
don't  wish  you  to  sit  under  my  ministry  if  I  do  you 
no  good.  I  shall  not  blame  you  if  you  go  to  hear  Mr. 
Sharp,  or  Dr.  Baldwin.  Indeed,  I  advise  you  to  do  so. 
They  are  both  good  men.'  And  then  he  proposed 
prayer  ;  by  this  time  my  throat  began  to  swell,  and  my 
eyes  to  water,  and  I  cried,  and  we  both  wept  together. 
After  this,  I  loved  him.  I  did  not  go  to  Mr.  Sharp's, 
nor  to  Dr.  Baldwin's.  From  that  time  to  this,  it  has 
seemed  to  me  that  Mr.  Way  land  was  the  best,  the 
plainest,  the  most  edifying  preacher  I  ever  heard." 
Mr.  Wayland  resigned  his  charge,  against  the  wishes 
and  much  to  the  surprise  of  the  church.  His  salary 
was  insufficient,  and  he  was  too  humble,  or  more 
likely  too  proud,  to  ask  to  have  it  raised.  In  this  he 
thinks  he  did  wrong.  He  ought,  he  says,  to  have  coun- 
selled with  the  deacons,  and  given  the  church  an  op- 
portunity to  retain  him,  if  they  chose.  He  thinks,  also 
he  made  a  mistake  in  leaving  the  ministry  for  the  po- 
sition he  has  since  occupied.  In  this  opinion  he  may 
be  right, —  his  heart,  we  know  is, —  and  it  would  doubt- 
less have  been  better  for  the  church  if  he  had  re- 
mained. But  the  alumni  of  Brown  University,  and 
the  friends  of  "  Moral  Science  "  and  a  Intellectual  Phi- 
losophy," and  certainly  one  of  his  successors  ir  the 
pastoral  office,  who  has  found  a  comfortable  home  here 
for  over  a  quarter  of  a   century,  will  probably  regard 


46  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

the  mistake,  if  such  it  be,  as  one  of  those  evils,  out  of 
which  the  Lord  "  still  educes  good." 

Dr.  Way  land  was  followed  in  the  pastoral  office  by  the 
Rev.  Cyrus  P.  Grosvenor,  who  was  installed  in  January, 
1827.  Mr.  Grosvenor  was  an  able  preacher,  and  a  man 
of  undoubted  honesty.  He  continued  with  the  church 
nearly  four  years.  He  is  now  residing  in  England,  and 
cannot  therefore  be  present  with  us  to-day.  Should 
the  words  I  am  now  uttering  meet  his  eye,  let  them 
assure  him  that  he  is  kindly  remembered  by  his  friends 
in  Boston.  There  are  persons  now  in  the  church,  and 
others  gone  to  heaven,  who  gratefully  recognize  him 
as  their  spiritual  father.  His  early  pleadings  for  the 
oppressed,  and  his  continued  reputation  for  moral 
integrity  through  all  the  vicissitudes  of  a  now  pro- 
tracted life,  entitle  him  to  the  tribute  of  respect  which 
is  most  cheerfully  accorded  him  on  this  occasion.  It 
was  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Grosvenor,  and  prin- 
cipally through  his  exertions,  that  the  old  meeting- 
house on  Stillman  Street  was  abandoned,  and  a  new 
one  erected  at  the  corner  of  Hanover  and  Union  Streets, 
where  the  church  continued  to  worship  during  a  period 
of  twenty-five  years,  and  where  the  first  sixteen  years 
of  my  own  pastorate  were  passed. 

Rev.  William  Hague  succeeded  Mr.  Grosvenor.  He 
was  installed  February  5th,  1831.  He  remained  with 
the  church  six  years,  when  he  resigned  to  take  charge 
of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Providence,  R.  I.     The 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  47 

congregation  was  greatly  enlarged  under  Mr.  Hague's 
ministry.  The  young  people  gathered  around  him  with 
enthusiasm  and  formed  themselves  into  a  Bible  class 
under  his  instruction.  The  union  of  popular  talent  with 
an  ingenuous  spirit  commanded  the  affection  and  con- 
fidence of  all.  It  was  a  sore  trial  to  the  church  that, 
without  any  adequate  cause,  he  should  leave  them  in  the 
midst  of  these  brightening  hopes.  Nor  is  is  yet  appar- 
ent that  he,  any  more  than  they,  was  made  the  better 
for  the  change.  But  Christians,  like  fond  parents,  are 
forgiving.  He  loves  to  visit  this,  his  early  home,  and 
he  knows  he  is  always  welcome.  We  are  happy  that 
he  is  once  more  settled  in  our  immediate  vicinity,  and 
trust  we  shall  have  him  with  us  to  the  end  of  life. 

"  Oh,  more  than  blest  that  now, 
His  wanderings  through, 
His  anchor  falls  where  first 
His  pennons  flew." 

My  own  ministry  with  this  church  commenced  the 
first  Sabbath  in  August,  1837,  —  that  is,  as  a  candi- 
date, be  it  understood;  for  I  was  a  stranger  and  a 
sojourner  at  first,  as  all  my  fathers  were.  I  accepted 
an  invitation  to  the  pastoral  care  on  the  17th  of 
September  following,  and  the  services  of  installation 
occurred    on  the  27th  of  the  same    month. 

In  tracing  the  history  of  the  church  thus  far,  I 
have  given  prominence  to  the  pastorate.  In  order  to 
have  a  correct  view,  it  is  needful  to  notice  the  influ- 


48  HISTORICAL    ADDRESS. 

ence  of  other  agencies.  And  first  of  the  Deacons. 
They  are  designed  to  be  an  efficient  element  of 
strength.  They  are  the  official  counsellors  of  the 
pastor.  They  are  to  look  after  the  temporal  affairs 
of  the  church,  superintend  benevolent  operations, 
and  should  be  chiefly  responsible  in  all  matters  of 
discipline.  The  Deacons  have  a  difficult  and  some- 
what perilous  service  to  perform.  No  officer  needs 
more  grace,  in  every  sense  of  the  term,  than  a 
deacon.  Brought  into  close  relations  with  pastor 
and  people,  he  is  very  liable  to  incur  the  suspi- 
cion of  both.  If  there  are  difficulties  in  the  church, 
he  is  generally  charged  with  the  blame,  and  no 
doubt  sometimes  deserves  it.  Of  all  church  mem- 
bers, a  bad  deacon,  ignorant,  malicious,  obstinate, 
is  the  very  worst.  But  this  is  not  their  character 
as  a  class.  My  own  comfort  as  a  pastor,  and 
whatever  of  peace  and  prosperity  the  church  has 
enjoyed  during  the  last  thirty  years,  are  attributa- 
ble in  a  very  great  degree  to  the  influence  of  kind 
and  judicious  deacons.  The  names  of  such  men  as 
James  Loring,  John  Sullivan,  S.  G.  Shipley,  and  Jo- 
seph Urann  are  held  by  us,  and  ever  will  be,  in 
most  affectionate  remembrance. 

The  influence  of  the  Sexton  should  not  on  this 
occasion  be  overlooked.  His  office  is  not  generally 
considered  so  dignified  or  spiritual  as  that  of  a  dea- 
con ;  but    a    right    discharge    of  its    duties    is  by  no 


//  I  S  TOE  I C  A  L    AD  DUE  S  S.  4  <| 

means  an  unimportant  agency.  Father  Winslow,  who 
officiated  in  this  capacity  from  the  time  of  Stillman 
down  to  the  period  of  my  own  pastorate,  had  an  in- 
fluence which  was  felt  through  the  church  and  so- 
ciety, and  in  every  apartment  of  the  house  of  God. 
The  old  meeting-house  on  Stillman  Street,  where 
the  disciples  went  as  in  a  fresh  and  green  pasture 
and  beside  the  still  waters,  was,  in  his  estimation,  the 
very  beauty  of  Zion.  He  watched  the  grounds  and 
the  building,  outside  and  in,  with  religious  vigilance ; 
and  woe  to  the  luckless  wight  who  maliciously  or 
thoughtlessly  obtruded  upon  the  sacred  enclosure. 
Mr.  Winslow  was  a  gentleman  of  the  old  school  ; 
wore  his  queue,  talked  of  "  masters  and  apprentices," 
and  the  revolutionary  war,  and  had  a  perfect  vener- 
ation for  Dr.  Stillman  and  the  First  Baptist  Church. 
He  sometimes  gave  advice  to  his  pastor,  and  was 
very  decided  in  his  opinions,  and  I  may  add  was 
generally  in  the  right.  He  was  strictly  conscien- 
tious, and,  though  blunt  in  his  expressions,  had  a 
s;enuine  kindness  of  heart.  Two  other  excellent 
brethren,  who  have  sustained  this  office  under  my 
own  ministry,  have  passed  away.  One  of  them,  a 
beloved  and  useful  member  of  the  church,  died 
within  the  last  year,  soon  after  his  appointment. 
The  other  officiated  in  this  capacity  for  over  ten 
years,  from  the  time  our  present  house  of  worship 
was  erected  until  his  death.  1  can  truly* say  of 
g 


50  HISTORICAL     ADDRESS. 

this  brother,:|:  "He  was  my  helper  in  Christ  Jesus." 
J  laving  access  to  me  at  all  times,  and  hearing  of 
whatever  was  said  or  done  among  the  people, — 
much  that  the  pastor  ought  to  know  and  still  more 
that  he  ought  not  to  know,  —  he  yet  never  betrayed 
my  confidence,  never  uttered  a  word  that  gave  me 
disquietude,  but  aided  me  most  essentially  by  timely 
cautions,  by  his  uniform  cheerfulness  and  good-na- 
ture, and  by  frequently  giving  me  the  names  and 
residences   of  persons  needing   pastoral  attention. 

I  shall  be  only  following  Scripture  example,  if  I 
refer  to  another  class  of  agencies :  "  the  honorable 
women  not  a  few,"  the  Marys,  the  Marthas,  the  Eliza- 
beths, the  Hannahs,  whose  influence  in  the  prayer- 
meeting,  the  social  circle,  and  works  of  benevolence, 
is  efficient  and  cheering  as  the  morning  light. 

Some  have  left  us  for  the  spirit  land,  whose  names 
I  shall  not  repeat.  They  are  remembered  for  their 
modest  worth,  their  genial  spirit,  their  true  heart. 

I  can  only  allude,  among  other  agencies,  to  the 
Sabbath  school,  the  Bible  class,  the  devotional  sing- 
ing. All  these  belong  to  the  History  of  the  Church, 
and  even  they  are  only  the  outer  court  of  the  tem- 
ple. There  is  an  inner  sanctuary,  an  unwritten  his- 
tory, individual  experiences,  silent  communings  with 
heaven,  the  conflicts  and  the  triumphs  of  faith,  the 
joy  of  hope,  the  comforts  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  vis- 

*  Ebenezer  Carter. 


HISTORICAL    ADDRESS.  51 

ions  of  immortality  which  eye  hath  not  seen  nor  ear 
heard.  These  are  the  life  of  the  soul,  and  the  most 
effective  power  of  a  Christian  church. 

Having  spoken  of  the  pastors  and  prominent  events 
in  the  history  of  the  church,  allow  me  to  refer  briefly 
to  some  features  in  its  general  character;  and,  first, 
its  patriotism.  It  has  always  been  true  to  the  coun- 
try,—  not  merely  during  the  late  national  conflict,  but 
in  those  early  times  when  they  were  tempted  to  feel 
otherwise.  It  was  owing,  as  we  have  seen,  to  the 
presence  of  the  king's  commissioners,  that  the  original 
members  of  this  church  ventured  to  form  themselves 
into  an  organized  body,  and  hold  public  meetings. 
Our  brethren  improved  their  opportunity,  and  gladly 
availed  themselves  of  their  own  rights.  But  not  in  a 
single  instance,  nor  for  one  moment,  were  these  early 
Baptists  untrue  to  the  struggling  colony,  or  indiffer- 
ent to  the  general  welfare.  William  Turner,  one  of 
the  original  members  of  the  church,  afterwards  a 
captain  in  the  Indian  war,  fell  a  martyr  at  Bloody 
Brook,  while  fighting  for  the  colony,  which  would 
not  allow  him  to  find  what  here  he  sought,  "free- 
dom to  worship  God."  And  at  a  later  day,  in  1776, 
when  our  churches  were  still  compelled  by  law  to 
support  another  denomination,  —  a  policy  which  was 
really  more  tyrannical  and  provoking  than  either  the 
tea  tax  or  stamp  act,  —  what  course  did  the  Baptists 
pursue?     They  were  irritated,  no  doubt,     They  were 


52  II 1  S  TO K  I C  AL    ADD li  E  S  S. 

not  insensible  to  their  own  wrongs.  They  hated  mo- 
nopolies. They  remonstrated  from  pulpit  and  press. 
They  sent  a  delegation  to  the  first  Congress  to  have 
their  wrongs  redressed  and  their  rights  protected,  and 
sent  in  vain.  But  notwithstanding  all  this,  when  the 
colonies  were  oppressed  by  the  mother  country,  the 
Baptists,  without  a  dissenting  voice,  or  a  faltering  hand, 
identified  themselves  with  the  common  cause,  and 
were  among  the  most  decided  and  earnest  for  Amer- 
ican Independence  and  the  Revolutionary  War. 

Another  feature  in  the  character  of  this  church  is 
its  conservatism  in  religion.  It  has  been  true  to  its 
early  faith.  The  brief  and  comprehensive  articles 
adopted  two  hundred  years  ago  are  its  creed  to  this 
day,  and  I  hope  will  be  through  all  coming  time.  We 
believe  in  progress  to  be  sure,  but  not  in  going  be- 
yond the  incarnate  Redeemer,  or  the  teachings  of 
Inspiration.  The  highest  possible  improvement,  in 
knowledge  and  spiritual  culture,  is  but  pressing  to- 
ward the  mark  for  the  prize  of  the  high  calling  of 
God  in  Christ  Jesus. 

This  church  has  been  kind  to  its  pastors.  Most  of 
them  sustained  the  relation  until  death,  and  those 
who  resigned  during  life  acted  in  nearly  every  in- 
stance against  the  wishes  of  the  people,  who  yet  felt 
only  pain  at  parting,  and  hoped  to  meet  again. 

It  has  also  been  true  to  its  own  denomination. 
It  is  bound  to  its  brethren  by  cords  of  love.     Baptist 


//  1  S  T 0  R  ICA  L     A  D  D  R  E  S  S.  53 

churches.  Baptist  history,  Baptist  institutions,  arc  all 
ours.  The  Newton  Institution,  Brown  University,  the 
Missionary  Union,  and  other  kindred  associations,  be- 
long to  us  and  we  to  them.  We  are  all  one  family. 
If  one  member  suffers,  the  others  suffer  with  it,  and 
if  one  member  rejoices,  the  others  rejoice  with  it. 

Allow  me  to  name  another  feature  that  has  distin- 
guished this  church  from  the  beginning,  namely, 
Christian  courtesy.  The  spirit  of  soul-freedom  we 
inhaled  with  our  earliest  breath.  With  a  great  price 
others  have  obtained  this  liberty;  but  ive  were  free 
born.  It  is  a  sacred  legacy.  We  ought  to  know  its 
extent  and  import.  It  is  not  enough  that  our  own 
privileges  are  secure.  We  shall  have  parted  with  our 
birthright  if  we  ever  fail  to  accord  to  others  the 
liberty  we  claim  for  ourselves,  or  attempt  to  coerce 
their  faith,  either  by  the  arm  of  power,  or,  by  what 
is  still  worse,  the  language  of  denunciation  and  abuse. 

Brethren  and  Friends:  We  enter  upon  the  third 
century  of  our  existence  in  circumstances  of  unusual 
interest.  Our  beloved  country,  after  passing  through 
the  fiery  trial  of  civil  war,  now  stands  before  the 
nations  regenerated  and  free,  with  no  chains  for 
human  limbs,  and  no  fetters  for  the  human  con- 
science ;  no  established  church,  and  no  dissenters ; 
no  "  standing  order,"  and  no  schismatics ;  no  govern- 
ment emissaries,  suspiciously  prowling  about   the  place 


54  HISTORICAL     ADDRESS. 

of  our  religious  assemblies ;  nor  any  apprehensions 
that  the  doors  of  the  sanctuary  will  be  again  nailed 
up  by  order  of  the  "  Great  and  General  Court."  We 
have,  I  believe,  the  good  will  of  our  fellow-citizens, 
and,  what  is  of  great  importance  to  a  Christian  church, 
"we  are  at  peace  among  ourselves."  Our  two  hun- 
dredth anniversary  finds  us,  also,  enjoying  a  refresh- 
ing season  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord.  While  we 
are  gratefully  paying  a  deserved  tribute  to  the  mem- 
ory of  the  fathers,  the  Lord  our  God  is  graciously 
permitting  us  to  welcome  our  children  and  youth, 
the  hope  of  Israel,  to  our  bosom.  While  thus  we 
hallow  the  past,  we  are  cheered  by  the  brightening 
future,  and  trust,  that  He  who  has  led  us  thus  far, 

WILL  CONTINUE  HIS  PRESENCE  AND  BLESSING  TO  THE  END 
OF    TIME. 


OEDEE    OF    SEEVICES 

AT    THE 

TWO  HUNDREDTH  ANNIVERSARY 

OF    THE 

first  tnijjti.tf  Clmrcl],  Somerset  %\mt,  gaston, 

JUNE    7,    1865, 
COMMENCING  AT  3   O'CLOCK,   P.  M. 


ORDER    OF    SERVICES. 


VOLUNTARY   ON   THE   ORGAN'. 

1SY   B.   .1.    LANG,    ESQ. 


A  N  T  II.  E  M  , 
BY    A    SELECT    CIIOIK    UNDER    THE    DIRECTION    OF    PROP.  S.  B.  BALL. 


INTRODUCTORY   REMARKS    AND    PRAYER. 

BY    WILLIAM    HAGUE,    D.  D.,    FORMER    PASTOR    (from  1S31  to  1837). 


ORIGINAL    HYMN, 

BY    8.    F.    SMITH,    D.  D.      READ    BY'    D.    C.    EDDY,    D.    D. 

Nurtured  by  Heaven  with  grace  and  gifts. 

Loving  and  true  and  free, 
The  church  of  God  its  head  uplifts, 

Like  some  fair  ancient  tree. 

The  sturdy  trunk  defies  the  tooth 

Of  all-consuming  Time, 
As  verdant  with  immortal  youth 

As  in  its  early  prime. 

The  spreading  boughs,  the  fibrous  roots 

On  every  >i<le  extend; 
With  grateful  shade,  with  precious  fruits, 

The  beauteous  branches  bend. 
H 


58  ORDER    OF    SERVICES. 

The  tempest's  wrath,  the  wintry  chill, 
In  vain  their  conflicts  wage, 

Like  plants  beneath  the  sheltering  hill, 
It  lives  from  age  to  age. 

Church  of  Immanuel,  sacred  tree, 
Planted  by  hands  divine, — 

Though  centuries  pass,  its  life  shall  be 
Coeval,  Lord,  with  thine. 


READING   SCRIPTURES, 

BY    REV.    ROIJERJ    W.   CUSIIMAN,    D.    D. 


PRAYER, 

BY    FRANCIS   WAY1AND,   D   D.   FORMER   PASTOR   (from  1821  to  1826). 


ORIGINAL  HYMN, 

BY   S.    F.   SMITH    D.    D.,      READ   BY   REV.    PHINEAS    STOWE. 

While  centuries  pass  with  solemn  tread, 
And  kingdoms  sink,  the  church  remains ; 

From  life's  immortal  fountain  fed,  — 
A  light,  whose  glory  never  wanes. 

♦ 

Where  are  the  fathers  ?     Once  they  stood, 
With  fervent  faith,  with  armor  bright ; 

Now  gathered  with  the  sons  of  God, 
As  stars  at  morning  melt  in  light. 

Here  have  they  worshipped  ;  here  they  died, 
And  here  their  fallen  mantles  rest ; 

Though  gone  from  earth,  their  works  abide, 
Like  sunset  glory  in  the  west. 


ORDER    OF   SERVICES.  59 

The  censers  from  their  hands  we  take, 

And  wave  the  hallowed  incense  still ; 
They  sleep  in  death ,  —  their  children  wake, 

The  lamps  with  golden  light  to  fill. 

Head  of  the  Church  !   our  all,  our  Guide, — 

We  own  thy  power,  we  sing  thy  grace  ; 
Still  to  new  conquests  thou  shalt  ride, 

And  added  centuries  speak  thy  praise 


HISTORICAL  DISCOURSE, 

BY   ROLLIN    II.   NEALE,   D.   D.,   PRESENT   PASTOR   (installed  Sept.  27,  1S37 


PRAYER, 

BY    REV.    WILLIAM   JENKS,    D.    D. 


ORIGINAL  HYMN, 

BY    S.    F.    SMITH,    D.  D.,      READ    BY    REV.   WARREN    RANDOLPH,    D.  D. 

Oh,  sing  to  the  praise  of  the  Saviour  above ! 
Unchanging  his  wisdom,  immortal  his  love  ; 
Extolled  be  his  mercy  and  hallowed  his  name, 
Who  dwelt  in  the  pillar  of  cloud  and  of  flame. 

His  hand  through  the  desert  has  guided  our  way,  — 
Our  shelter  by  night,  and  our  glory  by  day  ; 
The  fathers  are  garnered,  at  rest  in  the  grave  ; 
But  Jesus  still  triumphs,  almighty  to  save. 

The  harvests  are  waving  as  waves  the  ripe  grain, 
Fruit  once  sown  in  tears,  of  the  centuries  twain ; 
The  billows  no  more  beat  with  furious  shock ; 
The  Church  safely  stands  on  its  basis  of  rock. 


60  ORDER    OF   SERVICES. 

More  ages,  still  following,  their  circuit  shall  run, 
More  gems  like  the  crown  which  our  Saviour  has  won : 
More  trophies  of  grace  to  the  Church  shall  be  given, 
Then  echo  its  Jubilee  anthem  in  heaven. 


BENEDICTION, 

«Y    THE    PASTOR. 


The  following  Hymn  was  sung  at  a  pause  during  the  delivery  of 
the  Discourse. 

God  is  the  refuge  of  his  saints, 

When  storms  of  sharp  distress  invade; 
Ere  we  can  offer  our  complaints, 

Behold  him  present  with  his  aid. 

Loud  may  the  troubled  ocean  roar ; 

In  sacred  peace  our  souls  abide, 
While  every  nation,  every  shore, 

Trembles,  and  dreads  the  swelling  tide. 

There  is  a  stream  whose  gentle  flow 

Supplies  the  city  of  our  God ; 
Life,  love,  and  joy  still  gliding  through, 

And  watering  our  divine  abode. 

That  sacred  stream,  thine  holy  word, 

Supports  our  faith,  our  fear  controls ; 
Sweet  peace  thy  promises  afford, 

And  give  new  strength  to  fainting  souls. 

Zion  enjoys  her  Monarch's  love, 

Secure  against  a  threatening  hour; 
Nor  can  her  firm  foundation  move, 

Built  on  his  truth,  and  armed  with  power. 


INTRODUCTORY    REMARKS, 

BY    REV.    WILLIAM    HAGUE,    D.   D. 


Fathers,  Brethren,  and  Friends: 

We  have  entered  this  temple  to-day,  with  songs  of  thanksgiving,  in 
order  to  celebrate  an  historical  era,  —  the  close  of  the  second  century 
of  this  church,  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Boston,  whose  fortunes 
have  been  identified  with  the  fortunes  of  that  great  Principle  of 
Religious  Liberty,  which  has  not  only  survived  the  storms  of  fiery 
persecution,  but  has  established  its  supremacy  in  the  mind  and 
heart  of  this  nation,  from  sea  to  sea,  over  the  breadth  of  the  Ameri- 
can continent. 

Two  hundred  years  ago,  this  church,  consisting  of  "  a  few,  that 
is,  eight  persons,"  so  small,  so  weak,  so  destitute  of  every  kind  of 
power,  except  the  indomitable  power  of  Truth,  was,  with  a  single 
exception,  the  only  organized  body  within  the  bounds  of  Massachu- 
setts that  stood  forth  as  the  Representative  Witness  of  that  far-reach- 
ing doctrine,  now  cherished  as  a  sacred  legacy  in  the  homes  of  the 
millions,  that  "the  Conscience  of  the  individual  should  be  free, 
and  men  should  not  be  punished  for  worshipping  God  as  they  were 
persuaded  he  required."  The  single  exception  referred  to,  was' 
the  Baptist  Church  of  Swanzea,  on  the  border  of  Rhode  Island, 
ten  miles  from  Providence,  founded,  in  1C49,  by  the  Rev.  John 
Miles,  an  emigrant  from  Wales,  who  brought  with  him  the  records 
of  the  church  to  which  he  had  belonged  in  "the  old  country," 
settled  at  Wammamoiset,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Plymouth    Colony, 


62  INTRODUCTORY    ADDRESS. 

obtained  a  grant  of  land,  and  named  it  Swanzea,  in  honor  of  the 
town  that  he  had  left  in  the  Principality  that  had  given  him  birth. 
At  that  time,  these  two  churches,  occupying  so  distinguished  a  posi- 
tion within  the  territory  of  this  ancient  and  honorable  Common- 
wealth, with  a  true  martyr-spirit,  held  forth  one  testimony  in  behalf 
of  the  inalienable  rights  of  Conscience,  standing  up  in  the  sight 
of  "Heaven,  angels,  and  men,"  prophesying,  clothed  in  sackcloth, 
"  like  the  two  witnesses "  described  in  the  vision  of  the  inspired 
Prophet  of  Patmos. 

That  sister-church  of  exiles  for  conscience'  sake,  lived  in  a  state 
of  comparative  seclusion,  enjoying  a  good  degree  of  legal  protec- 
tion ;  but  this  church  occupied  a  conspicuous  place  in  what  was 
then  the  chief  city  of  New  England,  under  the  eye  of  a  civil 
government  founded  upon  the  principle  that  the  Church  and  State 
were  one  compacted  organism.  Of  course,  in  the  year  1G65,  when 
this  church  arose,  asserting  the  "right  of  private  judgment"  in 
matters  of  religion,  declaring  that  the  simple  Christianity  of  the 
New  Testament  recognized  no  bond  of  union  with  the  outward, 
visible  church,  except  an  unconstrained,  free,  voluntary  profession 
of  personal  faith,  and  claiming  protection  on  the  ground  of  an 
"  inalienable  right,"  the  Ruling  Power  marvelled  at  its  audacity 
and  doomed  it  to  suffer  all  of  those  "  pains  and  penalties "  with 
which  their  own  fathers  had  been  familiar  in  the  Old  World  from 
which  they  had  fled. 

For  more  than  half  a  century  did  this  consuming  fire  of  perse- 
cution rage  within  and  around  this  goodly  city,  and  not  until  the 
year  1718  did  a  change  come  over  the  spirit  of  the  Ruling  Power 
and  its  policy  in  Massachusetts.  All  honor  to  those  three  principal 
clergymen  of  Boston,  Dr.  Increase  Mather,  Dr.  Cotton  Mather, 
and  Mr.  John  Webb,  who  then  stepped  forward  to  stem  the  fiery 
tide,  by  taking  part  in  the  public  ordination  of  Mr.  Elisha  Cal 
lender,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  University,  whom  they  knew  and 
loved  as  a  man,  a  Christian,  and  a  faithful  minister,  in  spite 
of  his  alleged  heresies.  The  sermon  of  Cotton  Mather  on  that 
day,  May  21st,  1718,  —  the  sermon  wherein  he  abjured  all   fellow- 


LETTER    FROM   REV.    DR.    STOW.  63 

ship  with  the  oppressive  spirit  of  the  past,  —  was  a  signal  event  in 
the  history  of  this  Church,  and  this  State,  well  worthy  of  grateful 
mention  and  commendation  here  to-day. 

If  he  be  permitted,  now  and  then,  from  the  spirit-land  to  come 
and  hover  over  the  old  city  of  his  habitation,  this  still  thriving 
and  far-spreading  metropolis,  no  doubt  he  has  been  delighted  to 
observe  upon  the  old  central  hill,  the  beautiful  dome  of  the  Capitol 
welcoming  to  its  aerial  neighborhood  the  spire  of  that  First  Bap- 
tist Church,  which,  in  the  days  of  its  weakness  and  suffering,  lie 
penitently  and  nobly  befriended. 

For  that  one  act  of  his  useful  life,  even  if  all  others  be  for- 
gotten, let  his  name  be  fragrant  within  these  walls. 

In  the  discourse  to  which  we  shall  soon  listen,  from  the  lips  of 
my  honored  brother  and  immediate  successor  in  the  pastorship  of 
this  church,  there  will  be  mentioned  the  names  of  good  men  whom 
we  remember  with  affection  ;  and  as  their  images  pass  before  us, 
recalling  the  days  and  scenes  of  youth,  long-cherished  associations 
ever  dear  to  memory,  the  deeper  springs  of  feeling  in  our  moral 
nature  will  be  unsealed  ;  and,  amid  our  smiles  and  joyous  recogni- 
tion here,  the  silent  tear  will  flow  unbidden,  as  a  spontaneous 
tribute  at  the  shrine  of  departed  friendship,  of  sacred  brotherhoods 
and  communions  removed  from  earth  to  be  regained  in  heaven. 


LETTER  FROM  REV.  DR.  STOW. 

Boston,  16  June,  1865. 
To  the  Rev.  Rollin  H.  Neale,  D.  D. 

My  dear  Brother,  —  It  was  a  great,  disappointment  to  me  that  I  could  do! 
be  present  ami  participate  with  you  and  your  people  in  the  commemorative 
services  on  the  7th  instant.  I  was  providentially  detained  hundreds  of  miles 
away.  But  I  was  "with  you  in  the  spirit,  joying,  and  beholding  your  order, 
and  the  steadfastness  of  your  faith  in  Christ." 

The  church  you  have  served  nearly  twenty-eight  years  has  a  creditable 
history,  which  I  am  glad  to  know,  you  have  fully  sketched,  and  propose  to 
add,  in  permanent  form,  to  the  historical  literature  of  our  denomination.     In 


64  REVIEW    OF    THE    SERVICES. 

the  ministry  of  your  church  have  been  honored  names  already  written  high 
among  those  of  the  great  and  good  in  Zion.  No  better  men  and  women 
have  trodden  the  streets  of  Boston,  or  worshipped  in  its  sanctuaries,  than 
many  in  the  membership  of  the  "  Old  First  Church."  My  remembrance  of 
some  of  them  extends  back  to  the  period  when  Dr.  Wayland  was  the  pastor, 
and  I  can  bear  testimony  to  their  strong  good  sense,  their  deep  piety,  their 
elevated  standard  of  morality,  their  knowledge  of  the  sacred  Scriptures,  and 
their  firm  adherence  to  "  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints."  "  Rooted 
and  built  up  in  Him  "  who  is  the  Life  and  the  Strength  of  His  people,  they 
were  stable  Christians.  Their  faith  stood,  not  in  the  wisdom  of  men,  but  in 
the  power  of  God,  and  was  not  disturbed  by  any  "wind  of  doctrine,"  that 
blew  hot  or  cold  around  them.  I  could  name  such,  "  of  whom  the  world  was 
not  worthy,"  and  who  commanded  the  world's  respect. 

The  unwavering  stability  of  your  church  in  the  Baptist  faith  and  polity  is 
attributable  to  the  fact  that  it  has  been  "  grounded  and  settled"  under  faith- 
ful Biblical  teaching,  and  tested  by  adverse  forces  that  would  have  shaken 
any  edifice  not  "  built  on  the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus 
Christ  Himself  being  the  Chief  Corner-Stone."  Such  teaching  as  it  has 
had  in  the  past,  may  it  have  along  the  future,  unmixed  by  the  philosophy  of 
a  sceptical,  sensuous  age.  May  you,  my  brother,  have  grace  to  abide  in 
Christ  and  bring  your  people,  into  close  union  with  Him  as  their  spiritual 
Head, — the  Source  of  their  vitality,  the  Fount  of  their  intelligence,  the 
Centre  of  their  authority. 

The  relations  which  have  subsisted  between  you  and  myself,  through  forty 
years  of  fraternal  intercourse,  justify  me  in  using  strong  expressions  of  af- 
fectionate esteem. 

BARON  STOW. 

Letters  of  congratulation  and  kindness  were  also  received  from  the  "  Old 
Baldwin  Place  Church,"  and  from  the  Second  Church  in  Newport,  R.  I. 


A    REVIEW    OF    THE    SERVICES. 

All  the  circumstances  attending  this  two  hundredth  anniversary- 
were  eminently  favorable,  and  will  long  be  cherished  among  our 
most  pleasant  memories.  •  The  day  itself  was  balmy  and  delightful. 
The  meeting  of  present  and  past  members  of  the  church  and  con- 
gregation called  up  afresh  the  scenes  of  former  days.  The  sanctu- 
ary was  appropriately  decorated  with   flowers  and   evergreens   and 


REVIEW    OF    THE    SERVICES.  65 

the  national  banners.  The  names  of  the  pastors  were  arranged,  in 
the  order  of  their  pastorate,  on  the  front  of  the  galleries,  the  pulpit, 
and  the  organ-loft.  Prominent  incidents  in  the  history  of  the  church 
were  presented  to  the  eye.  On  the  right  of  the  pulpit  was  the  fol- 
lowing record  of  the  organization  of  the  church  :  — 

Ye  28th  of  ye  3r<l  month.  1665  in  Charlestown,  ye  Church  of  Christ  com- 
monly (though  falsely)  called  Anabaptists,  were  gathered  together  and 
entered  into  fellowship  and  communion  with  each  other,  engaging  to  walk 
together  in  all  the  appointments  of  their  Lord  and  Master,  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  far  as  He  should  be  pleased  to  make  known  His  mind  and  will 
unto  them  by  His  word  and  Spirit,  and  then  was  baptized  Thomas 
Gould,  Thomas  Osborne,  Edward  Drinker,  John  George,  and  joined  with 
Richard  Goodall,  Wm.  Turner,  Robert  Lambert,  Mary  Goodall  and  Mary 
Newell,  who  had  walked  in  that  order  in  Old  England. 

And  on  the  left  was  the  following  official  order  "inhibiting"  the 
Church  from  occupying  their  own  "  meeting-house." 

"  All  persons  are  to  take  notice  y'  by  ordr  of  ye  Court  ye  dores  of  this 
house  are  shutt  up.  &  y*  they  are  inhibited  to  hold  any  meeting  therein  or 
to  open  ye  dores  thereof,  without  lishence  from  Authority  till  ye  gennerall 
Court  take  further  order,  as  they  will  answer  ye  Contrary  att  theire  prill 
dated  in  boston  8th  March  1680 

by  Ordr  of  ye  Councell 

Edward  Raw^son 

Secretary ." 

These  tablets,  and  the  names  of  the  Pastors,  were  festooned  with 
oaken  wreaths.  The  whole  scene  was  animating,  and  the  air  fragrant 
with  beautiful  bouquets.  "  The  Old  Church-Book,"  bearing  upon  its 
pages  the  footprints  of  time,  lay  on  the  communion-table,  inclosed  in  a 
glass  case.  Here,  also,  was  exhibited  the  communion-service,  which, 
like  the  vessels  of  the  ancient  sanctuary,  drew  tears  from  the  eye  of 
the  beholder.  The  silver  cups,  with  the  inscriptions  and  names  of  the 
donors,  had  been  presented  at  different  periods,  and  were  of  various 
sizes  and  fashions.  They  were,  of  course,  familiar  to  past  and  present 
members,  and  awakened  sacred  and  tender  emotions.  A  large  audi- 
ence was  in  attendance,  consisting,  not  only  of  our  own  congregation 
I 


66  SOCIAL     FESTIVAL. 

but  of  pastors  and  members  of  otlier  Baptist  churcb.es  in  the  city  and 
vicinity,  professors  and  students  from  Newton  Theo.  Institution,  and 
also  ministers  and  members  of  other  denominations,  Dr.  Kirk,  Dr. 
Adams,  Dr.  E.  S.  Gannett,  Dr.  Walker,  ex-president  of  Harvard  Uni- 
versity, the  venerable  Dr.  Jenks,  now  near  ninety  years  of  age,  and 
the  still  more  venerable  Father  Cleaveland,  who  is  approaching  his 
one  hundredth  year. 

THE     SOCIAL     FESTIVAL. 

The  social  festival  in  the  evening  gave  increased  interest  to  the 
occasion.  This  was  held  in  the  spacious  chapel,  which  was  well  ar- 
ranged, and  most  "  bountifully  "  provided  for.  Addresses  were  made 
by  several  clergymen  and  other  brethren,  Drs.  Wayland,  Hague, 
Kirk,  Cushman,  the  Pastor,  and  others.  Dr.  Wayland  was  in  his 
happiest  mood.  He  made  a  speech  full  of  personal  reminiscences, 
and  breathing  the  spirit  of  matured  piety.  He  sang  with  his  old 
parishioners,  and  went  around  among  them,  reviving  the  scenes  of 
his  early  experience.  Dr.  Cushman  was  present,  vigorous  and 
strong,  speaking  kindly  of  the  Church  and  Pastor,  in  whose  neigh- 
borhood he  lived  while  himself  the  Pastor  of  the  Bowdoin-Square 
Church.  It  was  emphatically  a  reunion  of  "  the  family."  Most  of 
the  time  was  passed  in  social  conversation,  and  all  seemed  to  enjoy 
the  interview.  We  realized  the  truth  of  the  sentiments  which  we 
often  sing  — 

"  Blest  be  the  tie  that  binds 

Our  hearts  in  Christian  love ; 
The  fellowship  of  kindred  minds 
Is  like  to  that  above." 


Ijbteical  Utetitrs. 


HISTORICAL    MATTERS. 


THE   COMMUNION-SERVICE   PLATE. 

The  communion-vessels  consist  of  two  flagons,  eighteen  cups, 
four  plates,  and  one  spoon. 

The  flagons  are  marked  thus:  "The  gift  of  Mr.  Jona.  Harris 
to  the  First  Baptist  Church  of  Christ  in  Boston,  1792."  The 
following  record  is  found  on  the  church-book,  under  date  Nov.  30, 
1702:  "The  minister,  in  the  name  of  Mr.  Jona.  Harris,  merchant, 
presented  an  elegant  pair  of  plated  flagons  to  the  Church,  of 
which  he  requested  their  acceptance." 

One  cup  is  marked,  "  Ex  dona  J.  &  M.  Russell,  1714."  Cup 
marked,  "Ex  dona  Mary  Russell  to  ye  Church."  Cup  marked, 
"The  gift  of  Wm.  Snell  to  ye  Baptist  Church  in  Boston,  1727." 
Record  concerning  this:  "May  8,  1727.  Wm.  Snell,  having  be- 
queathed twelve  ounces  and  twelve  pennyweights  of  plate  to  the 
Church,  —  Voted,  that  this  plate  be  made  into  a  handsome  cup 
with  his  name  upon  it,  but  one  spoon  with  his  name  upon  it  shall 
be  reserved  for  the  use  of  the  Lord's  table."  [This  spoon  is  placed 
upon  the  Lord's  table  at  every  communion  season.] 

Cup  marked,  "F  — I  F."  Record  as  follows:  "Sept.  7,  1720. 
The  Church  received  a  small  silver  cup  marked  F  —  I  F,  the 
legacy  of  Mr.  John  Foreland  and  his  first  wife,  who  was  a  member 
of  the  Baptist  Church  in  Boston." 

Cup  marked,  "The  Gift  of  Mr.  Edward  Richardson  to  the  bapti-t 
Church  in  boston."  Record  Aug.  2,  1760:  "Four  pounds  lawful 
money,  legacy  of  Edward  Richardson,  of  Newbury,  was  placed  in 


70  HISTORICAL    MATTERS. 

the  hands  of  Dea.  Bulfinch,  to  be  laid  out  in  a  piece  of  plate  for 
the  communion-table." 

Goblet  marked,  "  Ex  dono  R.  K."  [No  record.]  Goblet 
marked,     "  Ex  dono  sc.  Tistm.     A.   D.  per  T.  A."     [No   record.] 

Two  large  plated  goblets  and  two  plates,  not  marked.  Record 
as  follows:  "April  29,  1793.  The  minister  informed  the  Church 
that  our  brethren  William  White  and  Jonas  Welch  had  made  a 
present  to  the  church  of  two  plated  goblets  and  two  plated  dishes 
for  the  communion-table." 

Two  plated  goblets  and  two  plates  were  purchased  by  the  Church 
about  thirty  years  since. 

Three  silver  goblets  marked,  "  Presented  to  the  First  Baptist 
Church  by   Mrs.  Lucy  Snow,  1854." 

Three  silver  goblets  marked,  "  Presented  to  the  First  Baptist 
Church  by  Mrs.  P.  C.   Loring,  1854." 

These  vessels  of  the  sanctuary  are  indeed  sacred  and  eloquent 
memorials  of  the  past.  On  each  communion  season  they  recall 
to  us  the  days  of  Russell,  Callender,  Condy,  and  Stillman.  They 
remind  us  of  the  devotedness  of  our  fathers  to  the  interests  of  the 
Church.  They  call  up  before  us  the  multitude  of  witnesses,  now 
gone  to  their  reward,  who  once  received  the  symbolical  emblems 
of  the  Saviour's  death    from  these  simple  vessels. 


ARTICLES   OF  FAITH. 
AGREED     UPON,     A.D.    1665. 

We  believe  with  the  heart,  and  confess  with  the  mouth,  that  there 
is*  but  one  God,f  Creator  and  Governor  of  all  things,!  distinguished 
into  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit,§  and  that  this  is  life  eternal,  to 
know  the  only  true  God,  and  Jesus  Christ,  whom  he  hath  sent. 

*Deut.6:4.     1  Tim.  2:  5.     Eph.  4:6.     tGen.l:l.     Heb.  11:13.     JMatt.3:16. 
1  John  6:7.     $  John  17 : 3.    Heb.  5 :  9. 


HISTORICAL    MATTERS.  71 

And  that  the  rule  of  this  knowledge,  faith,  and  obedience,  concerning 
the  worship  and  service  of  God,  and  all  other  Christian  duties,  is  the 
written  Word  of  God,  contained  in  the  books  of  the  Old  and  New 
Testaments.* 

*  John  5:  39.  2  Tim.  3:  15,  16,  17.  Deut.  4:  2,  5,  6.  Gen.  6:22.  Ex.  20:4,  56. 
39:42,43.     1  Chron.  28: 19.     Ps.  119.     Gal.  1:8.     Rom.  22: 18,  19. 

We  believe,  Christ  is  the  foundation  laid  by  the  Father,*  of  whom 
Moses  and  the  Prophets  wrote  and  the  Apostles  preached  ;  t  who  is 
that  great  Prophet  whom  we  are  to  hear  in  all  things ;  %  who  hath 
perfectly  revealed,  out  of  the  bosom  of  his  Father,  the  whole  word 
and  will  of  God,  which  his  servants  are  to  know,  believe,  and  obey.§ 

*  Gen.  3:15.  22:18.  1  Deut.  18: 15.  Ps.  22:  6,  7,  12,  17.  J  Deut.  18:15.  Acts 
3:22,23.     §  John  1:18.     12:29.     15:15.     17:18.     Matt.  17:5.     2  Tim.  3: 15,  16,  17. 

Christ's  commission  to  his  disciples  is  to  teach  and  baptize ;  *  and 
those  who  gladly  receive  the  word  and  are  baptized,  are  his  by  call- 
ing, and  fit  matter  for  a  visible  Church ;  f  and  a  competent  number 
of  such,  joined  together  in  covenant,  and  fellowship  of  the  Gospel, 
are  a  Church  of  Christ.* 

*  Matt.  28:19.  Acts  9:10,18.  10:28.  t  Acts  2:41.  J  1  Cor.  1.  Jcr.  50:4,5. 
Ps.  50:  5.     Micah  4:  5.     Matt.  18. 

We  believe,  that  a  Church,  thus  established,  are  to  walk  in  all  the 
appointments  of  Christ ;  *  and  have  power  from  him  to  choose  from 
among  themselves  their  own  officers  ;  whom  the  Gospel  allows  to 
administer  in  the  ordinances  of  Christ  among  them,  —  whom  they 
may  depute  or  ordain  to  this  end.t 

*  Matt.  28:20.     t  Acts  6 :  3,  5,  6.     9:10,18.     10:47,48.     14:23.     Rom.  12. 

And  this  Church   hath  power  to  receive  into  their  fellowship  visible 


72  HISTORICAL    MATTERS. 

believers  ;  *  and,  if  any  prove  scandalous,  obstinate,  and  wicked,  to 
put  fortb  such  from  among  tliem.f  When  the  Church  is  met  together 
they  may  prophesy,  one  by  one,  that  all  may  learn,  and  all  may  be 
comforted ;  \  and  they  ought  to  meet  together,  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  to  attend  upon  the  Lord  in  all  his  holy  ordinances,  continuing  in 
the  Apostles'  doctrine  and  fellowship,  and  breaking  bread,  and  prayers.§ 

*  Rom.  14:1.  16:2.  f  Matt.  18:7.  1  Cor.  4:5.  J  1  Cor.  14:  23,  24,  25,  31 
§  Acts  20:  7.     1  Cor.  16:2.     Acts  2:  42. 

We  acknowledge  Magistracy  to  be  an  ordinance  of  God,  and  to 
submit  ourselves  to  them  in  the  Lord,  not  because  of  wrath  only,  but 
also  for  conscience'  sake.* 

*  Rom.  13:1.     1  Pet.  2:  13,  14. 

Thus  we  desire  to  give  unto  God  that  which  is  God's,  and  unto 
Caesar  that  which  is  Ceasar's,  and  to  every  man  that  which  belongeth 
to  him;*  endeavoring  always  to  have  a  clear  conscience,  void  of 
offence  towards  God,  and  also  towards  man,  having  hope  in  God. 
That  the  resurrection  of  the  dead  will  be  of  the  just,  unto  life;  and  of 
the  unjust  unto  condemnation  everlasting.f  If  any  take  this  to  be 
heresy,  then  do  we,  with  the  Apostles,  confess,  that  after  the  way 
which  they  call  heresy,  we  worship  the  Father  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ ;  believing  all  things  written  in  the  Law,  and  in  the  Proph- 
ets, and  in  the  Psalms.J 

*  Matt.  22  :  21.  t  Acts  24:  14,  15,  16.  John  5:  28.  J  2  Tim.  1: 13.  3: 14,  15,  16,  17 
Matt.  10 :  32. 

CHURCH  COVENANT. 

ADOPTED,  1665. 

t 

As  we  trust  we  have  been  brought,  by  divine  grace,  to  embrace  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and,  by  the  influence  of  his  Spirit,  to  give  our- 
selves up  to  him  ;   so  do  we  now  solemnly  covenant  with  each  other, 


HISTORICAL    MATTERS.  73 

a>  (lod  shall  enable  us,  to  walk  together  in  brotherly  love;  that  we 
will  exercise  a  Christian  care  and  watchfulness  over  each  other,  and 
faithfully  warn,  rebuke,  and  admonish  our  brethren,  as  the  case  shall 
require;  that  we  will  not  forsake  the  assembling  of  ourselves  together, 
nor  omit  the  great  duty  of  prayer,  both  for  ourselves  and  for  others  ; 
that  we  will  participate  in  each  other's  joys,  and  endeavor,  with  ten- 
derness and  sympathy,  to  bear  each  other's  burdens  and  sorrows  ;  that 
we  will  seek  divine  aid  to  enable  us  to  walk  circumspectly  and  watch- 
fully in  the  world,  denying  ungodliness  and  every  worldly  lust  ;  that 
we  will  strive  together  for  the  support  of  a  faithful,  evangelical  minis- 
try among  us  ;  and  through  life,  amidst  evil  report  and  good  report, 
seek  to  live  to  the  glory  of  Him  who  hath  called  us  out  of  darkness 
into  bis  marvellous  light. 

THE  OLD  MEETING-HOUSES. 

The  frame  of  the  old  meeting-house,  in  Stillman  Street,  was  re- 
moved to  South  Boston,  and  constitutes  the  materials  of  the  South 
Boston  Baptist  Church,  Broadway,  Rev.  G.  S.  Abbot  pre'sent  pastor. 
The  old  pulpit  where  Wayland  and  Winchell  and  Stillman  preached, 
is  in  the  vestry  of  that  church. 

The  meeting-house  at  the  corner  of  Hanover  and  Union  Streets  is 
now  used  for  a  carpet  store.  The  front  part  of  it  has  been  removed 
for  the  purpose  of  widening  the  street. 

Contents  of  the  Box  placed    under  the  Corner-stone  or 
the  House,  corner  or  Union  and  Hanover  Streets  :  — 

1.  A  Sermon  delivered  at  the  Dedication  of  the  Baptist  Meeting-house,  in 
Charlestown,  Mass.,  May  12,  by  Samuel  Stillman,  D.  D. 

2.  A  Discourse  delivered  by  Rev.  Joseph  Clay,  A.  M.,  August  19,  1807, 
on  the  occasion  of  his  Installation  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church  and  Society  in  Boston. 

J 


74  HISTORICAL   MATTERS. 

3.  Two  Discourses,  exhibiting  an  Historical  Sketch  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church  in  Boston,  from  its  formation  in  Charlestown,  1665,  to  the  beginning 
of  1818,  by  Rev.  James  M.  Winchell,  A.  M. 

4.  A  Sermon  on  the  Moral  Dignity  of  the  Missionary  Enterprise,  delivered 
Oct.  26,  1823,  by  Francis  Wayland,  Jr.,  A.  M. 

5.  The  eleventh  number  of  the  first  volume  of  the  Baptist  Preacher,  pub 
ished  by  Rev.  Wm.  Collier,  containing  a  sermon  by  Rev.  Cyrus  F.  Grosvenor, 
A.  M.     Text,  —  "  Mene,  Mene,  Tekel,  Upharsin." 

6.  The  American  Baptist  Magazine  for  Sept.,  1828. 

7.  The  Minutes  of  the  seventeenth  anniversary  of  the  Boston  Baptist  As- 
sociation, held  in  Cambridge,  17th  and  18th  September,  1828. 

8.  The  last  Christian  Watchman. 

9.  The  six  daily  papers  of  the  city,  of  Oct.  21,  1828. 


The  plate,*  this  day  (Oct.  21,  1828)  deposited  under  the  corner-stone  of 
the  new  meeting-house  for  this  church,  at  the  corner  of  Hanover  and  Union 
streets,  is  of  silver,  weighing  three  ounces,  and  being  six  inches  by  four  in 
measure.  The  inscription  on  it  is  as  follows :  The  First  Baptist  Church  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  was  gathered  in  Charlestown,  A.  D.  1665,  and  removed  to 
Boston,  A.  D.  16  79.  The  first  members  were,  —  Thomas  Gold,  Thomas  Os- 
bourne,  Edward  Drinker,  John  George,  William  Turner,  Robert  Lambert, 
Mary  Goodall,  Mary  Nowell,  Richard  Goodall. 

The  names  of  the  Pastors  and  the  years  of  their  settlement. 


Thomas  Gold,  settled  A.  D.,  1665. 

John  Russell,  Isaac  Hull,  16  75. 

John  Emblem,  1684.    Ellis  Callender,  1708. 

Elisha  Callender,  A.M.,  1718.  Jeremiah  Condy,  A.M.,  1739. 

Saml.  Stillman,  D.  D.,  1765.    Joseph  Clay,  A.  M.,  1807. 

James  Manning  Winchell,  A.  M.,  1814. 

Francis  Wayland,  Jun.,  D.  D.,  1821. 

Cyrus  Pitt  Grosvenor,  A.  M.,  1827. 


One 
side. 


HISTORICAL    MATTERS.  75 


The  Present  Officers  of  the  Church. 

Cyrus  P.  Grosvexor,  Pastor. 
John  Sullivan, 


tax,  ) 
nx,  / 


Joseph  UraN"    '  Deacons' 


The  Building  Committee. 


The 


John  Sullivan, 
ichabod  macomber. 
Samuel  Beal. 
Thomas  Gould. 
Jonx  Gair. 
Isaac  Davis. 


Joseph  Ubann. 
John  K.  Simpson. 
Emery  Rice. 
Simox  G.  Shipley. 
Geo.  S.  Goddard. 
Moses  Poxd. 
Charles  Wells,  Superintendent. 

"  One  Lord,  One  Faith,  One  Baptism." 
Bostox,  October  21st,  A.  D.  1828. 

The  services  at  the  dedication  of  the  New  Meeting- 
house, in  Hanover  Street,  Thursday,  June  18,  1829,  were  as 
follows :  — 

1.  Invocation,  by  the  Pastor. 

2.  Anthem. 

3.  Dedicatory  Prayer,  by  Rev.  James  D.  Knowles. 

4.  Anthem. 

5.  Reading  Scriptures  by  Rev.  Dr.  Sharp. 

6.  Singing  of  hymn  1 75,  of  Winchell's  Supplement. 

7.  Sermon,  by  C.  P.  Grosvenor,  from  Romans   11:36.     "For  of  Him, 
and  through  Ilim,  and  to  Him  are  all  things,  to  whom  be  glory  forever. 

8.  Prayer,  by  Rev.  Howard  Malcom. 

9.  Anthem  —  Doxology  in  Old  Hundred. 
10.   Benediction,  by  the  Pastor. 


The  laying  of  the  Corner-stone  of  the  New  Church,  ox 
Somerset  Street,  took  place  at  8  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  Sept. 
12,  1853. 

The  exercises  were  as  follows  :  — 

1.  Prayer,  by  Rev.  William  Howe. 

2.  1 78th  Hymn  of  Winchell's  Selections. 

3.  An  Address,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Neale. 

4.  Reading  of  the  contents  of  the  box  to  be  deposited  beneath  the  corner- 
stone. 


76  HISTORICAL    MATTERS. 

The  inscription  was  as  follows  :  — 

The  Baptist  Church  in  Boston  was  gathered  in   Charlestown   A.  D.  16G5> 
and  removed  to  Boston  A.  D.  1679. 

NAMES    OF    PASTORS. 


Thomas  Gold, 

.     Settled, 

1665,     . 

.    Died,        1675. 

Isaac  Hull, 

Licensed, 

1673, 

"             1690. 

John  Russell, 

.     Settled, 

1679,     . 

1680. 

John  Emblem, 

u 

1684, 

"              1702. 

Ellis  Callender, 

u 

1708,     . 

"              1726. 

Elisha  Callendek, 

u 

1718, 

"              1738. 

Jeremiah  Condy, 

!< 

1739,     . 

.     Resigned,  1 765. 

Samuel  Stillman,     . 

(( 

1765, 

Died,          1807. 

Joseph  Clay, 

u 

1807,     . 

"              1811. 

James  M.  Winchell, 

u 

1814, 

"              1820. 

Francis  Wayland, 

u 

1821,     . 

.     Resigned,  1826. 

Cyrus  P.  Grosvenor, 

u 

1827, 

1830. 

Wm.  Hague, 

u 

1830,     . 

"              1837. 

Rollin  H.  Neale, 

n 

1837, 

Present  Pastor. 

PRESENT  OFFICERS  OF  THE  CHURCH,  1853. 

Pastor—  Rev.  Rollin  H.  Neale,  D.  D. 

Deacons  —  Joseph  Urann,  Thomas  Richardson,  Thomas  P.  Foster,  Abijah 
Patch. 

Clerk.  —  George  E.  Learnard. 

Treasurer.  —  William  Grubb. 

Superintendent  Sabbath- School.  —  Cyrus  Carpenter. 

Building  Committee.  —  Thomas  Richardson,  Nathaniel  Hill,  William 
Grubb,  Daniel  P.  Simpson,  Edward  Sands,  Cyrus  Carpenter,  Artemus  Ham- 
mond, Charles  P.  Chamberlin,  William  H.  Learnard. 

Architect.  —  William  Washburn. 

Master  Mason.  —  Carlton  Parker. 

Carpenters.  —  C.  &  S.  Barker. 


5.  The  box  was  then  deposited,  and  the  corner-stone  laid  by  Dr.  Neale. 

6.  Prayer  was  offered  by  Dr.  Stow. 

7.  Doxology  and  Benediction. 


HISTORICAL    MATTERS.  77 

Contents  of  thf  Box  deposited  beneath  the  Corner-stone 
on  Somerset  Street: — 

I.  A  Sermon  by  Rev.  Dr.  Stillman,  delivered  Nov.,  1790,  entitled  Apos- 
tolic Preaching. 

II.  A  Sermon  by  Rev.  James  M.  "Winchell,  being  an  Historical  Sketch  of 
this  Church. 

III.  Three  Sermons  by  Rev.  Francis  Wayland,  D.  D. 

1.  On  the  Duties  of  an  American  Citizen. 

2.  On  the  Moral  Dignity  of  the  Missionary  Enterprise. 

3.  A  manuscript  Sermon  preached  at  the  funeral  of  Rev.  Dr.  Sharp. 

IV.  A  Sermon  by  Rev.  "William  Hague,  D.  D.,  on  the  Life  and  Character 
of  Rev.  Dr.  Judson,  delivered  May  1851. 

V.  The  following  Sermons  by  Rev.  R.  H.  Neale,  D.  D. : 

1.  Election  sermon,  delivered  before  the  Legislature,  Jan.  1852. 

2.  The  Incarnation,  preached  before  the  Association,  1849. 

3.  The  Burning  Bush,  preached  1850. 

4.  Manuscript  Sermon  from  the  words,  "  The  word  of  God  is  not  bound." 

YI.  Funeral  Sermon,  on  the  Death  of  Rev.  Dr.  Bolles,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Daniel 
Sharp,  from  the  words,  "  Jesus  wept." 

VII.  Sermon  by  Rev.  Baron   Stow,  D.  D.,  entitled,   A  Tribute  to  the 
Memory  of  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Sharp,  delivered  July,  1853. 

VIII.  Manuscript   Sermon  by  Rev.  Mr.  Wines,  pastor  of  the  Bowdoin 
Square  Church. 

IX.  Essay  to  Sabbath  School  Teachers,  by  Rev.  Wm.  Howe,  pastor  of  the 
Merrimac  Street  Church. 

X.  Baptist  Periodicals. 

XL   Annual  Reports  of  various  Baptist  Benevolent  Societies. 
Xn.   Minutes  of  the  Boston  Baptist  Association. 

XHI.    Church  Covenant  of  the  Boston  Bethel  Church  witli  Hymns,  by 
Rev.  Phineas  Stowe,  pastor. 

XIV.  History  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  Boston,  with  names  of  members, 
1853. 

XV.  Copperplate  Engraving  of  Rev.  Dr.  Stillman. 


78  HISTORICAL    MATTERS. 

XVI.  Engraving  of  Rev.  Mr.  Wnichell. 

XVII.  Crystallotype  Likeness  of  Rev.  Dr.  Neale. 

XVIII.  A  Parchment  Inscription,  containing  the  names  of  all  the  pastors 
of  the  church,  with  the  dates  of  their  settlement  and  decease  or  resignation. 

XIX.  The  daily  Newspapers  of  this  city  of  this  date,  Sept.  12,  1853. 

XX.  A  Letter  from  the  church  to  their  successors,  who  may  open  the  box. 


Order  of  Exercises  at  the  Dedication  of  the  First  Bap- 
tist Church,  Somerset  Street,  Thursday,  January  11,  1855. 

1.  Voluntary  and  Anthem. 

2.  Prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Stow. 

3.  Hymn  by  Rev.  S.  F.  Smith,  D.  D. 

4.  Reading  the  Scriptures,  by  Rev.  Dr.  Kirk. 

5.  Dedicatory  Prayer  by  Pres.  Wayland. 
G.  Hymn  206,  Psalmist. 

7.  Sermon  by  the  pastor.  —  Heb.  x.  19.  20. 

8.  Hymn  21,  Psalmist. 

9.  Prayer  by  Rev.  Dr.  Caldieott. 

10.  Anthem,  "  Glory  be  to  God." 

11.  Benediction. 


Letter  referred  to  as  among  the  Contents  of  the  Box 
deposited  under  the  Corner-stone  of  the  present  Meet- 
ing-house, Somerset  Street: — 

Beloved  Brethren  and  Sisters:  — 

Deeply  interested,  as  we  are,  in  the  past  history  of  this  ancient 
church,  our  hearts  are  moved  with  affectionate  solicitude  for  those  who 
shall  come  after  us.  We  differ,  in  some  respects,  from  our  fathers  as 
you  probably  will  differ  from  us.  External  manners  and  customs 
change  with  the  lapse  of  time.  But  the  great  and  essential  truths  of 
the  gospel,  namely,  that  Jesus  Christ  was  God  manifest  in  the*  flesh  ; 
that  the  sinner  is  saved  only  through  faith  in  the  vicarious  sufferings 
of  the  Son  of  God ;  that  regeneration  is  an   essential  prerequisite  to 


HISTORICAL    MATTERS.  79 

personal  piety,  and  to  our  ultimate  admission  to  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  ;  and  that  this  change  is  wrought  only  through  the  sovereign 
agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  —  are  sentiments  which  we  now  hold  as 
they  were  expressed  by  the  original  founders  of  the  church,  two 
hundred  years  ago.  And  we  exhort  you,  "  scrupulously  to  holdfast 
the  form  of  sound  words." 

May  these  doctrines  be  faithfully  preached,  and  most  surely  be- 
lieved, by  the  successive  pastors  and  members  of  this  church,  through 
all  coming  time. 

Dear  Brethren  : — To  whatever  extent  our  goodly  city  may  have 
grown  in  your  day,  and  whatever  changes  and  improvements  may 
then  occur  in  society,  let  nothing  be  added  to  or  taken  from  the  vol- 
ume of  inspiration  ;  our  holy  faith  was  pure  and  perfect  at  its  origin  ; 
we  exhort  you,  therefore,  that  you  keep  the  commandments,  the  doc- 
trines, and  the  ordinances,  as  they  have  been  delivered  unto  us  from 
inspired  apostles,  and  by  authority  of  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church. 
We  herewith  transmit  to  you  the  Articles  of  Faith  and  Church  Cove- 
nant adopted  by  our  fathers  in  1665,  with  various  other  documents, 
which  will  give  you  an  idea  of  our  present  state  and  condition. 

May  your  lives,  dear  brethren,  be  conformed  to  your  high  and  holy 
profession  ;  may  the  gospel  in  your  day  be  rapidly  extending  its  in- 
fluence over  the  whole  earth  ;  may  you  find  these  United  States  still 
one  nation,  increasingly  prosperous  and  happy ;  and,  ere  you  read  this 
letter,  the  Lord  grant  that  liberty  may  have  been  proclaimed  to  all 
the  inhabitants  throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  "We 
earnestly  pray  that  the  choicest  blessings  of  Heaven  may  descend  upon 
you  and  upon  those  who  shall  succeed  you,  and  though  we  meet  not 
on  earth,  we  anticipate  a  joyous  recognition  and  delightful  communings 
in  the  promised  land. 

In  behalf  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  Boston. 

Rollix  11.  Neale,   Pastor. 
September  12,  1853. 


80 


HISTORICAL    MATTERS. 


The  following  persons  have  officiated  as  deacons  of  the  Church:  — 


Names. 

When  chosen. 

Thomas  Skinner, 

1670 

Edward  Drinker,    . 

.     1670 

Humphrey  Kirkwood 

,           1681 

Benjamin  Sweetser, 

.     1688 

Richard  B.  Proctor, 

1718 

Josias  Byles, 

.     1720 

Si-iem  Drowne,     . 

1721 

Joseph  Hiller,  Jr., 

.     1754 

Skinner  Russell, 

1751 

John  Bulfinch, 

.     1759 

Nathan  Hancock, 

1759 

Shem  Drowne, 

.     1774 

Philip  Freeman, 

1779 

Richard  Gridley,     . 

.     1779 

Daniel  Wild, 

1787 

Names.  When  chosen. 

William  Capen,        .        .  1790 

John  Wait,          .          .  1801 

James  Loring,         .         .  1807 

Prince  Snow,  Jr.,        .  1807 

John  Sullivan,        .        .  1825 

Joseph  Urann,    .         .  1828 

Moses  Pond,    .         .        .  1828 

John  Spence,        .        .  1835 

Simon  G.  Shipley,     .        .  1838 

Thomas  Richardson,    .  1840 

Thomas  P.  Foster,  .         .  1845 

Abijah  Patch,      .        .  1847 

John  Q.  A.  Litchfield,  1861 

Charles  A.  Turner,        .  1861 


PRESENT   OFFICERS   OF   THE    CHURCH. 

ROLLIN     H.     NEALE,     Pastor. 


Thomas  Richardson,  i  John  Q.  A.  Litchfield, 

Thomas  P.  Foster,  |   Abijah  Patch, 

Charles  A.  Turner. 

Cyrus  Carpenter,  Superintendent  of  Sabbath  School. 

William  H.  Brewer,  Church  Clerk. 

society's  committee. 


Daniel  P.  Simpson,  Chairman, 
Edward  Sands, 
John  Q.  A.  Litchfield, 
Wm.  H.  Learnard,  Jr., 
Gilbert  C.  Brown, 
Samuel  B.  Hopkins, 


Thomas  P.  Foster, 
Oliver  D.  Kimball, 
Caleb  G.  Barker, 
Richard  F.  Murray, 
Cyrus  Carpenter, 
Erastus  B.  Badger. 


Chas.  A.  Turner,  Clerk  and  Treasurer. 


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